U.S. Representative Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.) has been appointed co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus, an important, bipartisan group of lawmakers whose legislative work reflects their unwavering support for America’s car culture and the automotive aftermarket and motorsports industries.

As co-chair of the caucus, Harshbarger will partner with Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) to educate lawmakers on policies affecting automotive enthusiasts, racers, aftermarket businesses, and the broader motorsports ecosystem.

“Motorsports and automotive performance are woven into the fabric of American culture and support an industry that drives innovation, fuels small businesses, and sustains more than a million jobs across the country,” said Harshbarger. “From manufacturers and suppliers to racers, collectors, and enthusiasts, this industry represents the ingenuity and craftsmanship that make America exceptional. I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus alongside Congressman Bishop, and I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to support an industry that means so much to our economy and to communities like ours in East Tennessee.”

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) applauds this announcement, hailing Harshbarger as a tireless advocate for the interests of aftermarket small businesses and automotive enthusiasts nationwide.

“Rep. Harshbarger understands the economic and cultural importance of America’s automotive aftermarket industry and enthusiast community,” said SEMA CEO Mike Spagnola. “Her leadership and commitment to supporting small businesses, manufacturing, and consumer choice make her a strong advocate for our industry and the millions of Americans who live their best lives through their cars and trucks.”

Harshbarger’s appointment comes at an important time for the nation’s automotive performance industry, which delivers an annual economic impact of $337 billion to the U.S. economy and supports over 1.3 million American jobs.

Harshbarger is leading the effort to secure passage of the “ADAS Functionality and Integrity Act” (H.R. 6688), her bipartisan bill that would protect American vehicle owners’ right to modify vehicles with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The bill requires the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the impact of vehicle modifications on safety systems and empowers the agency to publish guidelines to ensure that life-saving technology, such as automatic emergency braking, continues to work as designed after a vehicle has been modified.

SEMA looks forward to working with Harshbarger, Bishop, and caucus members to advance policies that protect consumer access to automotive customization, support domestic manufacturing, and preserve the future of motorsports and enthusiast activities nationwide.

ABOUT THE CONGRESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PERFORMANCE AND MOTORSPORTS CAUCUS

The Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus is a forum for lawmakers to engage on issues impacting vehicle customization, motorsports competition, automotive innovation, and the specialty-equipment marketplace.

Formed in 1996 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the American automobile, the bipartisan Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus reflects America’s always-growing love affair with the automobile and motorsports. The SEMA-supported Congressional Caucus helps shine a spotlight on the significant economic and cultural contributions of the automotive performance and motorsports industries, as well as the innovation delivered by small businesses and manufacturers from every corner of the U.S. The honorary caucus also recognizes the important role that modifying vehicles and racing play in our daily lives, through advancements in safety, performance, and customization that supports the various needs of families and businesses.

About SEMA

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) serves as a leading voice for the worldwide car culture, representing over 7,000 member companies that create, buy, sell, and use specialty-automotive parts that make vehicles more unique, attractive, convenient, safer, fun, and even like new again. Business member benefits include product development resources, market research, networking, education, legislative advocacy, and more. The Association organizes the annual SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nev., and actively supports the career and business opportunities that the aftermarket generates. The industry contributes nearly $337 billion in economic impact to the U.S. economy, supports 1.3 million jobs nationally, and generates nearly $53 billion in parts sales annually. For more information, visit www.sema.org.

Tagged: Automotive Small Businesses

SEMA Applauds Appointment of U.S. Rep. Diana Harshbarger as Co-Chair of Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus