With much uncertainty and a constant flurry of announcements, Washington, D.C., it has been a whirlwind environment in the first 100 days of the President Trump 2.0 administration. Fortunately for the smart home sector, CEDIA continues to have the industry’s back and keeps integrators updated on important issues.
Toward those CEDIA advocacy efforts, just as it did last year the association led a group to the nation’s capital for its second annual Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill to address issues that include the tariffs situation’s potential impact on the channel.
Members included the CEDIA Board of Directors, manufacturer CEOs, and industry leaders from around the world. The association states that it advocated for key policies impacting the custom integration industry while underscoring the valuable work of technology companies.
CEDIA representatives participated in a series of bipartisan meetings with members of Congress and their staff to address legislative issues including:
A Return of Exclusions on Tariffs:
As was done in the first Trump term, any trade policy actions including tariffs should have an exclusion process to support the overall strength of the U.S. economy, create an environment that maintains U.S. jobs in the technical trades, and sustain low prices for essential products and services.
Advancement of Technology Innovation:
Important initiatives of the “CHIPS and Science Act” include bringing the semiconductor supply chains back to the U.S., providing greater technology investment, creating new jobs, supporting American innovation, ensuring supply chain resiliency, and protecting our national security.
Support for Middle-Class Jobs:
The “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act” (H.R. 1151 / S. 756) would expand the use of 529 savings accounts to cover workforce training and credentialing programs, directly benefiting the individual workers and the smart home technology industry.
“This was our second Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill, and the impact of rallying together in person cannot be overstated,” says CEDIA Global President and CEO, Daryl Friedman.
“With changes in government and evolving policy landscapes, it’s more important than ever that we proactively engage with lawmakers to shape the future of our industry.”
How Integrators Can Get Involved in CEDIA Advocacy
Five CEDIA advocacy groups engaged in positive discussions with multiple key lawmakers from around the country, according to the association.
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The legislators were especially receptive to CEDIA’s feedback due to their prior support for the “CHIPS and Science Act” and co-sponsorship of the “Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.”
“I want to thank everyone who joined us on the Hill, as well as those who continue to advocate from home,” states CEDIA Director of Government Affairs, Darren Reaman. “Industry advocacy is an ongoing effort, and every voice strengthens our impact.”
Building on the momentum of Smart Home Day on Capitol Hill, CEDIA has created a pre-populated letter template for members to send to their congressional leaders, which has already been sent hundreds of times. The form can be accessed here.
For more information on CEDIA’s global advocacy efforts and ways to get involved, visit cedia.org/advocacy.
