WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio), Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), addressed the membership of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of American (IIABA or the Big “I”) last week.

Boehner and Landrieu delivered keynote speeches at the legislative conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association’s annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. [See related: Group calls broker bill a 'death blow' to consumers]

Every year more than a thousand agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill offices to lobby members of the House, Senate and their staffs on issues that directly impact independent agents and consumers.

“So it’s good to be here with people who actually create jobs,” said Boehner to the hundreds of small business owners in the room. “Here in Washington there are a lot of people who think they know something about creating jobs but they have never actually done it. I’m humbled to say that I have met payroll and I have created jobs.”

Boehner discussed the new health care law, tax and spending issues, financial services regulation and recent remarks by President Barack Obama on the federal budget. Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) met with the president last week.

The speaker said he told the president, “that taxes were not going to be a part of this conversation.” He said the Republican leadership discussed “the need to grapple with entitlement programs for those 54 and younger” while not affecting those 55 and older and added that “doing nothing will mean this fiscal recklessness will continue.”

Boehner also discussed last year’s overhaul of the health care system. He said he is going to do everything possible “to dismantle this program piece by piece.”

“The Big ‘I’ is honored that during such a pivotal year, Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-Ohio) kicked off our annual agent pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “Our members greatly appreciated his insights on the important topics facing our independent agents and brokers, their businesses and the American economy.”

Sen. Landrieu discussed many of the challenges small businesses face including health care and insurance regulation.

“With the challenges before our nation today, I think this is one of the most important components of our efforts to put this recession behind us, to break free, to create a more vibrant, open and opportunity for economic growth and development,” said the chair of the Senate Small Business Committee. “Economic growth and development is not just going to come from the big international industrial manufacturing companies; it’s going to come from small businesses and you’re it.”

Sen. Landrieu indicated that she supported the health care bill but that it wasn’t perfect and supported the repeal of the 1099 form requirement.

“I understand that some of the insurance companies decided to take [the Medical Loss Ratio] out of the commissions of the agents—that was not our intention,” said the Louisiana Democrat. “I would like to work with you to try to fix that rather than repealing it. I fought to keep the insurance industry as part of this mix but we want the insurance industry to be responsible and accountable and we certainly want the agents to be respected and valued.” [See related: Group calls broker bill a 'death blow' to consumers]

“Sen. Landrieu’s leadership is pivotal to small businesses across the country,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for government affairs. “We look forward to continuing to work with her on the numerous issues that directly impact the 300,000 professionals we represent and insurance consumers.”

Instant Insights /

Boehner, Landrieu address Big &quot;I&quot; conference in D.C.

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Boehner, Landrieu address Big "I" conference in D.C.