Government Affairs

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As the leading advocate for the travel industry, ASTA’s Government Affairs department represents the rights of travel agents and the traveling public on Capitol Hill and in state legislatures. One of the most beneficial aspects of an ASTA membership is the lobbying effort on behalf of its members and using One Voice to advance the cause of the entire industry.

ASTA encourages all members to participate in the political process and help send clear, concise messages to Capitol Hill and state legislatures. With new communications technology, ASTA will easily connect members with lawmakers regarding important issues affecting the travel agent community while encouraging involvement in the legislative process.

In 2010, ASTA's Government Affairs staff is fighting on multiple fronts to advance travel agents' policy priorities. These priorities include:

• Opposing legislation to impose new costs on agencies who use the services of independent contractors;
• Fighting proposed taxes on travel agent service fees in Virginia, Iowa and Massachusetts;
• Working to ensure that no additional airlines shift the cost and risk of credit card transactions onto travel agents; and
• Encouraging Congress to expand access to credit for travel agencies and other small businesses.

Don't miss the chance to recognize these efforts at the 7th Annual ASTA Advocacy Dinner in Orlando this September!  Celebrate with the industry's top professionals at a black tie affair during THETRADESHOW. Reserve Your Spot At This Dinner - More Details

The American Society of Travel Agents’ Political Action Committee (ASTAPAC) represents the collective voice of the Society’s travel agent membership before the United States Congress and the White House and has educated elected officials about travel agent issues and helped counterbalance opposing positions. ASTAPAC pools together individual financial contributions from members and are dispersed to those candidates whose views are consistent with ASTA on issues vital to the travel agent and tourism industry.

Recent Legislative Items ASTA Briefing on Efforts to Stop United Airlines' Shift of Credit Card Fees ASTA held a briefing on the subject of air travel merchant fees to update media and Congressional staff on United Airlines' efforts to shift the cost of merchant fees and the associated risk to travel agents and consumers. More Information: ASTA Briefing Summaries Bookmark this page www.ASTA.org/unitedresources     Quick Poll   Are you optimistic that health care reform legislation will lower your agency’s health care costs?   Yes No     indicates a required field

Recent Press Releases ASTA, ITSA File Comments Regarding Proposed Passport Fee Increases — March 16, 2010 ASTA Praises President’s Renewed Commitment to Small Businesses; Calls on Congress to Act Swiftly — February 1, 2010 Travel Agents File Comments to Antitrust Immunity for oneworld Alliance — January 12, 2010 ASTA Welcomes Obama's Call for Review of Traveler Screening — January 6, 2010 ASTA Praises House Action to Accelerate Credit-Card Reforms; Calls on Senate to Extend Small Business Protections — November 17, 2009 Olga Ramudo Receives ITSA Advocacy Award — September 14, 2009 ASTA Briefing: United’s Cost Shifting Plan Means Fewer Choices, Little to No Consumer Protection, Higher Prices — September 1, 2009 ASTA, Allies Welcome Airline Assurances — August 31, 2009

New Documents

• ASTA and ITSA comments on Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs passport policies — March 11, 2010
  ASTA and ITSA members are vitally interested in the evolution of passport policies, including fees, since such policies may have a dramatic effect on travel.
  
  
• ABC Charters Amicus Brief - U.S. District Court Southern Florida — December 23, 2009
  ABC Charters Amicus Brief - U.S. District Court Southern Florida
  
  
• Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections, supplemental comments on DOT NPRM — December 23, 2009
  Enhancing Airline Passenger Protections, supplemental comments on DOT NPRM