With the 2021 Big “I" Virtual Legislative Conference quickly approaching, programming for the event is starting to come together.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia), an important player in the new U.S. Senate majority, will talk about the need for bipartisanship and compromise in Congress. As a well-respected moderate, he has already proven to be a key swing vote on many issues.

The virtual conference will also feature a discussion with Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-New Jersey), co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives, over key priorities for the caucus, which include changing the culture on Capitol Hill and returning to civilized discourse among political leaders. With such a slim margin separating the two parties, Rep. Gottheimer will also comment on the importance of moderates in Congress.

Virtual conference attendees will also hear from House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-South Carolina). Rep. Clyburn is the third-ranking Democrat in the House and will talk about the small business agenda for 2021 and beyond.

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Missouri) will address the needs of small businesses and important issues for Big “I" members and their clients. As Ranking Member on the House Committee on Small Business and a former insurance agent himself, Rep. Luetkemeyer has a strong understanding of the insurance market and the critical role that independent agents play.

The conference will be held April 13-16, 2021, and registration is complimentary to all attendees thanks to the support of our sponsors.

Teddie Norton Reilly is Big “I" director of government affairs operations.