ESOP PAC: A Powerful Advocacy Tool

“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu…”

This is an old adage in Washington, DC, that’s been credited to several sources over the past few decades.  Various newspapers, politicians, union leaders, and books have all referenced this saying in whole or part, and it was even utilized (though misspoken for comedic effect) by Julia Louis-Dreyfus in the series “Veep.”

The sentiment this saying conveys is real. The charge to the Association is to ensure our members have a seat at the table – and ESOP PAC is a key component of that strategy. 

The pace of change in Washington, DC has risen to levels never before experienced in modern history. For ESOPs, over just the first three months of the year, we have been presented with sweeping new regulatory proposals by the outgoing Biden administration that would have changed the fundamental way our companies are valued and viewed by the federal government. Those proposals were immediately shelved by the incoming Trump administration, but we expect they will be revisited within the year. The Office of Employee Ownership at the Department of Labor lost its director to DOGE terminations, but she was reinstated. At the same time, President Trump has nominated the most clearly pro-ESOP set of Cabinet and sub-cabinet nominees in the last decade. Coupled with trade issues and tariffs, substantial legislation on expiring tax provisions, and regular executive orders, it’s understandable if you’re feeling a little whiplash.  

Yet there has never been a better opportunity for the ESOP community to secure the regulatory changes we need than right now, this year. And ESOP PAC plays a crucial role supporting these efforts.

ESOP PAC is a key tool to help achieve our members’ goals and ensure Congress supports policies that protect and grow ESOPs. The Biden administration's proposed regulation – now withdrawn – could make ESOPs more expensive to form and maintain and would dramatically increase insurance costs. It must be replaced with a commonsense approach to fiduciary responsibility. To do this, we need to support our bipartisan Congressional champions and make sure they are supporting an appropriate approach. ESOP PAC enables us to pool resources and support those champions—Democrat or Republican—who are committed to advancing employee ownership. 

ESOP PAC only exists through your support, however. For TEA corporate members, the Association needs just a simple permission to begin conversations about supporting ESOP PAC. If your company agrees to support ESOP PAC, we will work with you to craft any message to your employees, with 100% right to approve anything before it gets shared. Your support will ensure our voice is heard in Washington and protect the future of ESOPs. Employee owners, when united, can make a real impact.

For more information, contact Leandra Wilder, TEA’s Director of Fundraising and Development, at lwilder@esopassociation.org or (770) 549-1955. We will walk you through the simple steps needed to start supporting ESOP PAC.