ASNT Celebrates Successful Inaugural Day on the Hill, Promoting Nondestructive Testing on Capitol Hill

Columbus, OH – The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) is celebrating the success of its inaugural Day on the Hill, held on 11 March 2025, in Washington, DC. More than 40 ASNT members and staff participated in over 100 meetings with lawmakers and their staff, introducing the vital role of nondestructive testing (NDT) in public safety, infrastructure reliability, and innovation.

“Our first Day on the Hill was a tremendous success,” said Garra Liming, ASNT Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs. “This was a landmark moment for ASNT—our members came together to educate lawmakers about the critical role of NDT in protecting lives and strengthening our nation’s infrastructure. The enthusiasm and engagement from both our members and policymakers were encouraging.”

ASNT members shared information about how NDT is vital in ensuring the safety, reliability, and longevity of the nation’s infrastructure, as well as its widespread applications in aerospace, nuclear, energy, and manufacturing. Some conversations included concerns about the decline in federal research investment over the past 15 years and the challenges it presents as materials and manufacturing technologies rapidly evolve.

Members emphasized the growing importance of technology and workforce development in keeping pace with technological advancements, and the need for stronger recognition of NDT within federal programs and funding priorities.

“Our inaugural Day on the Hill was an incredible opportunity to put NDT on the map in Washington,” said Neal Couture, ASNT CEO. “For many policymakers, this was their first exposure to the industry and its impact on public safety. Our members did an outstanding job advocating for NDT, and this is just the beginning of ASNT’s presence on Capitol Hill.”

ASNT Vice President and Advocacy Committee Chair Jason Riggs joined several meetings and added: “We’ve built valuable connections with lawmakers, and now we need to keep the momentum going. ASNT is committed to making NDT a recognized and supported profession at the national level. Hill Day was just the first step in ASNT’s long-term advocacy efforts.”

ASNT will continue following up with congressional offices and providing additional data and resources. For more information about ASNT’s advocacy efforts and the impact of nondestructive testing, visit asnt.org.

About ASNT

 ASNT is the association for nondestructive testing (NDT) professionals committed to making the world a safer place. NDT professionals detect irregularities, flaws, and defects in materials, components, and structures that could compromise the safety, reliability, or functionality of an object or structure. Established in 1941, ASNT supports members with certifications, professional development, industry insights, advocacy, events, publications, and networking opportunities and is focused on fostering the growth of future generations of NDT professionals through the ASNT Foundation. Serving more than 22 000 members and certificate holders worldwide, ASNT is the largest technical society for NDT professionals. ASNT is based in Columbus, Ohio, with offices in Houston, Texas, Washington, DC and Chennai, India.

For press inquiries about ASNT, please email gliming@asnt.org