Dear ________________________________, As a responsible meeting and event professional and member of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), I respectfully urge you to consider revisions to amendments passed in two separate bills April 25 by the House and Senate that place severe restrictions on government employees attending meetings and conferences. These amendments were included in the “Digital Accountability and Transparency Act” or DATA Act (H.R. 2146) in the House, and the “21st Century Postal Service Act” (S. 1789) in the Senate. I fully support the intent of Congress to induce greater transparency and accountability in government spending—there is little defense for exorbitant or wasteful spending of taxpayer dollars. However, while the amendments are designed to limit spending on government-­‐sponsored conferences and travel expenses for federal employees, the actual language would have a chilling effect on government employees’ participation in non-­‐
governmental meetings and conferences as well. The dialogue that takes place at these meetings between government and the private sector is essential to the development of informed policymaking that facilitates economic growth and job creation. The dangers of government operating in a vacuum—with fewer opportunities to learn and exchange information with private industries in a conference or meeting setting—are too great to ignore. The language in either amendment can be easily modified to allow federal employees to attend educational conferences held by associations and other non-­‐governmental organizations, without compromising Congress’s goal of enhanced federal accountability. However well-­‐intentioned, this amendment has broad implications for associations and other non-­‐governmental organizations that invite government employees to give presentations or attend their conferences. Without modifications, the provisions could discourage government attendance at educational conferences and hinder the necessary interchange between government and the private sector. For these reasons, I respectfully ask you and Congress to revise either amendment as recommended above either before the Senate takes up H.R. 2146 or the House considers S. 1789. Thank you for your consideration of this important request. Sincerely,