Over 55 equipment manufacturing executives traveled to Capitol Hill during the 2026 AEM Washington Fly-In to make the case for policies that provide the certainty manufacturers need to invest, innovate, and compete. Together, they participated in approximately 100 meetings with lawmakers and congressional staff, advocating for policies that strengthen manufacturing, protect innovation, support rural America, and modernize infrastructure.
Throughout the Fly-In, manufacturing leaders urged Congress to reject mandates that could undermine innovation, pass a farm bill that advances precision agriculture, and enact a long-term surface transportation reauthorization to support infrastructure investment and economic growth.
“The strength of the AEM Washington Fly-In is the opportunity it creates for equipment manufacturers to share their stories directly with lawmakers,” said Brian Bieller, Chair of AEM's Government and Public Affairs Committee. “We came to Washington this week to highlight the innovations, investments, and jobs our companies support every day. By engaging directly with lawmakers, we are helping shape the decisions that will determine the future of manufacturing."
“America’s manufacturing renaissance requires pro-growth policies and meaningful collaboration between industry and government,” said AEM Vice President of Federal Affairs Kate Fox Wood. “Our members provided lawmakers with firsthand insight into how decisions made in Washington affect their employees, customers, and communities. These conversations build the understanding needed to advance practical, bipartisan solutions that strengthen U.S. manufacturing and keep our economy moving forward.”
As part of the Fly-In, AEM honored four members of Congress with its Champion of the Industry Award: U.S. Representative Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), U.S. Representative Brad Finstad (R-Minn.), U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). This year marks the second time Senator Fischer has received the award, which recognizes lawmakers for their leadership in advancing policies that strengthen America’s manufacturing base.
During their meetings, fly-in attendees focused on three legislative priorities:
- Reject Harmful Mandates that Threaten Innovation: Oppose Section 861 of the House FY27 NDAA and Section 804 of the Senate FY27 NDAA, which would give the government expanded rights to use and share proprietary information beyond what is needed for maintenance and sustainment activities.
- Invest in Rural America: Pass a bipartisan reauthorization of the farm bill by the end of the year that includes advancements in precision agriculture and a strong farm safety net.
- Rebuild and Modernize Our Nation’s Infrastructure: Pass a bipartisan, fully funded federal surface transportation reauthorization by the end of the year and lock in a long-term and sustainable funding stream for the Highway Trust Fund.
The Washington Fly-In demonstrated the power of equipment manufacturers speaking with a unified voice. By sharing their experiences and building relationships with policymakers, AEM members helped illustrate how federal policy decisions affect manufacturing investment, innovation, jobs, and communities across the country.
