COLUMBUS, Ohio — Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International’s (HARDI’s) vice president of government affairs, Palmer Schoening, has released the following statement in regard to HR 1, the For The People Act.

“This legislation, if enacted, would impede HARDI’s ability to advocate on behalf of our member businesses and would restrict the first amendment rights of our members,” he said. “Requiring our members to register with the Federal Election Commission if they make contact with congressional offices would discourage their participation in the political process.

“HR 1 restricts the ability for associations like HARDI to share critical information on pending legislation or regulations publicly,” Schoening continued. “HARDI categorically opposes any legislation that would make it more difficult for our members to voice their concerns with policymakers.”

A fact sheet on H.R. 1 provided by the Institute for Free Speech can be found here. For more information, visit www.hardinet.org/advocacy.