Insurance and Small Business Addressed at Big ‘I’ Conference

Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., and House Republican Whip Roy Blunt R-Mo., addressed 1,400 independent insurance agents and brokers at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America’s National Legislative Conference & Convention this morning.

Sen. Lieberman emphasized the importance of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act. “It is not only time to extend TRIA; it is time to make it permanent,” announced Lieberman. He also said the backstop should be expanded to cover nuclear, biological and chemical attacks.

Lieberman highlighted the importance of choice – whether it is a choice of insurance products or a choice of political ideas. The Independent Senator joked, “I feel right at home with the independent agents.” He went on to talk about his frustration with partisan politics in Washington and the need for the parties to compromise on important issues. “We need to come together to adopt American ideas, and American solutions,” he said.

Blunt also stressed his support for the extension of TRIA, including a backstop for group life insurance. He touched on a number of other topics as well, including the House vote this week on funding for the Iraq War. “Congress should not be micromanaging the war,” said Blunt. “The right of Congress is to decide whether we go (to war) or not – not the conditions in the field.”

Blunt also addressed the value of small businesses including independent insurance agencies to the economy. He reflected on the current tax system and how it is a good climate for small business, and should not be changed by the new Congress. Blunt said keeping taxes low is “trusting the American people with their money and how to spend it, rather than trusting the government with people’s money.”

Blunt and Lieberman are two of several prominent leaders speaking to agents and brokers at the Big “I” event. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., spoke to the Young Agents and InsurPac on Wednesday.

Highlights of the Big “I” National Legislative Conference include an in-depth issues briefing session for agents; the annual Big “I” congressional reception on Capitol Hill; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers; and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.

Source: Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America