On May 9, through a day of lobbying efforts and an evening of complimentary beauty services, members of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) and the Professional Beauty Federation (PBF) demonstrated their strength as an industry and their skills as professionals on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.

Volunteer teams of PBA/PBF member advocates met with their Congress men and women to enlist their support in passing the Small Business Tax Equalization and Compliance Act (S974 / HR1957) This bill (also known as the FICA Tip Tax Credit) would provide owners in the salon industry, the nation’s second largest tipped industry after restaurants, with a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on FICA (Social Security and Medicare) taxes paid on employee tips.

Pam Busiek, President and CEO of Independent Cosmetic Manufacturers and Distributors (ICMAD), said, “This bill has bipartisan support which is a wonderful thing. I would encourage everyone to learn more about how they can become involved.”

That evening, the PBF which represents independent and chain salons and their employees, cosmetology schools, cosmetology students, product distributors and manufacturers of professional salon products, invited members of Congress and staffers to “Welcome to Our World,” a highly-anticipated and now annual event on Capitol Hill. Volunteer beauty professionals offer manicures, haircuts, makeup applications and chair massages in the Cannon Caucus Room. For one night, pampering trumps politics and guests are introduced to an industry that transforms lives and touches millions of people every day.

Jennifer Parks, VP of Sales for Sexy Hair, said, “Sexy Hair has been a big supporter of Welcome to Our World through the PBF. It’s a really great event because we can talk about what’s important to us while having fun.”