Attention Crew Members: Action Needed for Targeted Senate Outreach

Just as NAMM has organized to lobby the industry to obtain government relief for live events workers, the National Independent Talent Organization (NITO), representing those who work in the live music industry, has also taken action.

As you probably know, negotiations in Congress for another stimulus bill are currently stalled. In response, NITO is reaching out to target a number of Senators who need to hear from industry members. They include Marco Rubio (FL), Susan Collins (ME), Mitch McConnell (KY), John Kennedy (LA), Chuck Grassley (IA), Martha McSally (AZ), Roy Blunt (MO), David Purdue (GA), Doug Jones (AL), Chuck Schumer (NY), Richard Durbin (IL), Ben Carden (MD), Patty Murray (WA), Kevin McCarthy (CA), Nancy Pelosi (CA), James Clyburn (SC), Steve Chabot (OH), and Steve Scalise (LA), as well as White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin.

The next coronavirus relief bill, which the Senate will begin debating this week, is of crucial consequence to the live music sector which remains shuttered, with no realistic timeline for safe reopening. NITO's executive board members shine a light on the urgency of the message: "We urge Congress to swiftly enact bills to provide relief that will save performing artists, agents, managers, touring personnel, theatres and live music venues, event management teams, and the millions of jobs resulting from and surrounding concerts and concert tours across the country. Since mid-March, our industry has closed down with virtually no performances or revenue for the foreseeable future, and yet we have all seen our fixed expenses and overheads continue to mount week after week."

Crew members who live in the states represented by these legislators are urged to contact them, urging them to support the RESTART Act, which, as this article notes, could help save independent music venues: n.pr/31isquI.

Go to nitolive.org/resources/take-action for easy access to your senators and a template letter. Act now; enhanced unemployment benefits have already run out and this week may prove decisive in the negotiations for a new bill.