This week, IATSE International President Matthew D. Loeb traveled to Washington D.C. to meet with federal legislators at the start of the 119th Congress to advocate for the legislative priorities of IATSE members and the broader entertainment industry workforce.
Loeb also attended a reception at the AFL-CIO welcoming new pro-labor members of the 119th Congress.
Loeb’s conversations centered on three of the most pressing issues IATSE members face at the start 2025:
1) the urgent need for federal disaster relief for IATSE members impacted by the ongoing threats and devastation caused by the Los Angeles area wildfires.
2) the necessity of including the Performing Artist Tax Parity Act (PATPA) in forthcoming tax legislation, so IATSE members can once again deduct their equipment and business expenses from their taxes.
3) the imperative for Congress to consider creation of a federal film tax incentive to level the playing field with countries that have escalated their federal incentive and subsidy structures to lure film and television productions, and the myriad jobs they create, from the United States.
During his trip, President Loeb met with the following elected officials:
Senator Adam Schiff (CA)
Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)
Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16)
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01)
Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30)
Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10)
Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)
Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08)
Congresswoman Luz Rivas (CA-29)
Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (CA-38)
“Fighting for the betterment of IATSE members lives and work doesn’t stop at the bargaining table,” Loeb said. “Some protections need to be legislated, rather than negotiated. My goal with this trip was to inform our allies in Washington what needs to be done to help our members recover from disaster, lower their cost of living, and keep film and television jobs from going overseas. I thank each member of Congress for the productive meetings and for their insights on how we can move the ball forward on these critical issues.”
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