AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES for AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES

Budget/Appropriations BUD

Advocated against restrictions on government employees attending association meetings and conferences. Advocated specifically against Senate Amendment 67 to the continuing resolution (H.R. 933), which would have prohibited more than 25 employees from any federal agency from attending any meeting or conference in the U.S.

Contacted: Internal Revenue Service (IRS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; SENATE; White House Office; Office of Government Ethics (OGE); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Management & Budget (OMB)

Bills named: H.R. 933 (113th)

Taxation/Internal Revenue Code TAX

Advocated against a proposal that the IRS make changes to the group exemption process for tax-exempt organizations with affiliates or chapters, including possibly eliminating group returns and requiring all chapters to file their own return.

Contacted: White House Office; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Government Ethics (OGE); Internal Revenue Service (IRS); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS)

Health Issues HCR

Continued to track implementation of the Affordable Care Act, including formation of federal and state health insurance Exchanges and the role associations can play as navigators to the Exchanges.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); SENATE; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Government Ethics (OGE); White House Office; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Postal POS

Monitored discussions of postal reform legislation that would update the Postal Service's business model.

Contacted: Office of Management & Budget (OMB); White House Office; SENATE; Internal Revenue Service (IRS); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Government Ethics (OGE); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Government Issues GOV

Advocated against proposed rulemaking from the Office of Government Ethics that would restrict government employees from accepting invitations to attend widely attended education programs held by trade associations. (RIN 3209-AA04). Rulemaking is still pending.

Contacted: Office of Government Ethics (OGE); Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); SENATE; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; White House Office; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Travel/Tourism TOU

Advocated as part of a coalition in favor of policies that promote the U.S. as a destination for meetings and conferences and improve visa processing for international visitors.

Contacted: HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; Office of Management & Budget (OMB); White House Office; Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS); Office of Government Ethics (OGE); SENATE; Internal Revenue Service (IRS)