For over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
Brought To You By Jewelers of America
For more than three decades, Jewelers of America has been advocating on behalf of the jewelry industry in Washington, D.C. We’ve played a key role in fighting against legislation that hurts jewelry businesses – from luxury taxes in the early 90s to estate taxes and everything in between. We’ve also been a strong proponent of measures that help jewelers, like sales tax fairness and most recently, legislation that targets retail crime.
As an organization, we rely on the support of Jewelers of America members to ensure these efforts are successful. Quite simply, without the voices of jewelers and the day-to-day stories they can share behind the messaging and talking points, our outreach would fall on deaf ears. That’s why we’ve developed advocacy plans and tools that capitalize on the collective power jewelry businesses have when they work together for a common outcome.
The Power of JAPAC
A key aspect of Jewelers of America’s advocacy efforts is JAPAC, Jewelers of America’s Political Action Committee, which allows employees from JA member companies to contribute and participate in the political process, to push for better policies that help businesses.
JAPAC supports the campaigns of candidates who support jewelers’ interests on Capitol Hill and are pro-growth and pro-business — incumbents and newcomers — for the United States Senate and House of Representatives. It serves as a critical advocacy tool, creating opportunities for building relationships and engaging directly with these candidates both before and after they have been elected.
Making Jewelers Part of the Conversation
Back in 2011, Jewelers of America conducted its first fly-in to Washington, D.C. Except for a short break during the COVID-19 Pandemic, we’ve brought JA members to Capitol Hill every year since. The visits, led by JAPAC are all about putting businesses and people at the forefront of the issues that matter to the jewelry industry. The event is the cornerstone of our advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, where we meet with numerous lawmakers and their staff, sharing the industry’s stories and concerns – whether it be rising crime, the impact of unfair taxes or regulations on business, or emphasizing the important contributions our businesses make to communities across the country.
Seeing and hearing directly from their constituents can help make a difference when it comes to policy decisions, especially during these divisive times. This September we’ll be returning to D.C. once more and hope to have our biggest event yet, including a Multifaceted Learning Workshop to be held ahead of our meetings with lawmakers.
Having influence is more important than ever, with pressure on industries—jewelry included—coming from all angles: government, non-governmental organizations and customers (both consumers of jewelry products and supply chain partners). As an industry we must engage in the conversations taking place before a given law or regulation is put in effect.
Focusing on the Jewelry Industry
Jewelers of America works with larger organizations like the National Retail Federation on key topics that impact all of retail, but when it comes to those issues that are specific to jewelry – such as regulations around sourcing of materials found in jewelry – we need those with expertise in jewelry to share their stories and experiences.
Keeping Members Informed and Ready to Act
Another key element of JA’s work in D.C. is monitoring legislation and regulations through Haake & Associates, JA’s expert legislative counsel in D.C. They work with JA leadership and the JAPAC Board of Directors to ensure we stay ahead of the curve on the issues that impact the industry. JA takes that information and regularly shares it with members through Legislative Updates and when needed, Action Alerts.
For more information on Jewelers of America legislative advocacy and JAPAC, visit the Legislative Agenda section of Jewelers.org. Or, contact Susan Posnock, JA’s Director of Public Affairs & Education at sposnock@jewelers.org.
