AIA meets with Trump campaign

The Aerospace Industries Association said today it participated in a meeting with the Trump campaign "to brief Mr. [Donald] Trump on issues of importance to our industry."

"As the voice of American aerospace and defense, AIA's role is to educate our elected leaders, candidates for office and the general public on the importance of our industry to our economy and national security," the organization said in a statement. "AIA has also been in contact with the Clinton campaign regarding a similar opportunity to brief Secretary [Hillary] Clinton."

AIA noted that it has developed position papers distributed to congressional and presidential campaigns and welcomes the opportunity to "brief any active campaign on our priorities."

However, the group is "strictly non-partisan" and "is not permitted -- expressly or by implication -- to endorse candidates for political office," the statement adds. "Our briefings are for educational purposes only, and we welcome the opportunity to speak with the candidates about issues that matter to our nation, our industry and our members."