It's almost impossible [to pass a bill without personal visits from constituents]. You have to have some connection with a member of Congress to inspire them to take action
Tonya Saunders, Senior Vice President of The Washington Group
 

photo rtoonline 4-19-05 Coalition member Kelly Sayre makes notes between meetings on the steps of the Capitol. Sayre owns Alliance Rental Centers based in Denton, Texas. See complete photo gallery below (45 photos).

Members of the Coalition for Fair Rental Regulations held over 50 meetings on Capitol Hill to enlist support for HR1651 (the Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act). See complete photo gallery below (45 photos)

In addition to meeting with known supporters of the legislation, the group enlisted at least to new cosponsors. Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX 28th) and  Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).

Last week, Representative Walter Jones (R-NC 3rd) sent a "Dear Colleague" letter to members of the House encouraging support. As a result, cosponsors of the Act in previous Congress' are signaling their intention to cosponsor HR1651.

Tonya Saunders, Senior Vice President of The Washington Group, a lobbying firm representing the Coalition, has lobbied on behalf of he Rent to Own industry for 10 years. Saunders said it's difficult to judge the likelihood of passage. "As with all legislation, there are factors that we can't control such as Congress' schedule. However, in terms of support for [The Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act], each year it gets better and better."

photo rtoonline 4-19-05 Tonya Saunders, Senior Vice President of The Washington Group, a Washington D.C. based lobbying firm. (bio)

Saunders believes Rental dealers making the trip to D.C. is the key. When asked if legislation of this kind can pass without personal visits to legislators, she said "Its almost impossible. You have to have some connection with a member of Congress to inspire them to take action." She explained that there is no substitute from a visit from a constituent.

The Act was first introduced in 1985. Organized large scale lobbying by rental dealers began in 1993. The Act gained 27 Senate and 95 House cosponsors in the 108th Congress. So why hasn't the bill become law? Saunders believes that 12 years is not unusually long for a bill like this one to work it's way through Congress. "It's not unusual at all," she said. "There are popular bills that have been trying to pass for 20 years."

Members of the Coalition plan as many as 3 more legislative conferences this year.

Below is a complete photo gallery of the first Coalition Legislative Conference.

Below is a photo gallery of the Coalition for Fair Rental Regulations Legislative Conference; April 18 - 20, 2005 If you would like the full size version of any photo (suitable for printing), RTO Online will email it to you free of charge for personal use. Please cut and past the thumbnail of the image you want in an email and send to photorequest@rtoonline.com. Click Here For More Rent To Own Industry Photo Galleries

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