By AP
DETROIT – As American carmakers emerge from their deep slump and a more Republican-leaning Congress takes office, the United Auto Workers union is opening a legislative meeting in Washington this week.
The Detroit-based union says 1,000 working and retired members will be hitting Capitol Hill.
They'll be hearing from UAW President Bob King today on the start of the four-day conference.
The Detroit News says King plans to talk about efforts to persuade non-U.S. automakers to make it easier to unionize their U.S. plants.
The Center for Responsive Politics says the union spent $10.1 million in the 2010 election cycle, with Democrats the main beneficiaries.
Democratic House members who'll speak include Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, Jim Clyburn of South Carolina, George Miller of California and Luis Gutierrez of Illinois.