Representatives Linda Sánchez (D-CA) and Ron Estes (R-KS) have emerged as key allies in the fight for music creators’ rights. As honorees at the 2025 GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards on Tuesday, April 8, in Washington, D.C., they are being recognized for their bipartisan leadership in advancing legislation that uplifts and protects working musicians, songwriters, and producers. The annual GRAMMYs on the Hill Awards will also honor seven-time GRAMMY winner Randy Travis.

A former labor lawyer and lifelong progressive, Rep. Linda Sánchez has built her career fighting for working families and championing policies that help artists, small businesses, and caregivers thrive. A fifth-generation Kansan and former state treasurer, Rep. Ron Estes brings a background in engineering and business to his role in Congress, where he champions fair tax policy, economic opportunity, and support for working families and veterans. Both lawmakers have been instrumental in reintroducing the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act — a vital tax reform bill that allows independent artists to deduct production costs upfront, rather than over several years. This commonsense change helps creators reinvest in their work and sustain their careers in an increasingly competitive music landscape.

"When differences too often separate us, music remains a powerful force that unites us," Rep. Sánchez said in a statement. "GRAMMYs on the Hill is a testament to that power, and I'm deeply honored to be recognized for our efforts to pass the HITS Act. This legislation empowers creators to reinvest in their craft, free from the financial burden of delayed tax deductions, ensuring they can continue making the music that brings us all together."

"It is a true honor to receive an award from the Recording Academy, especially since my greatest contribution to music is as a listener and not as a music creator," Rep. Estes said in a statement. "I've seen and heard firsthand the dedication, productivity, and talent embodied in music creators, including musicians, songwriters, sound techs, studio managers, and more. Music crosses political divides, and I've been pleased to partner with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to provide fair tax treatment to artists and creators with the bipartisan HITS Act."

As longtime participants in GRAMMYs on the Hill Advocacy Day and ongoing collaborators with the Recording Academy, Reps. Sánchez and Estes exemplify how lawmakers can make a tangible difference for creators. Their leadership helps ensure that artists can not only survive — but thrive — in today’s evolving music ecosystem.

Join us in advocating for a future that prioritizes human artistry. Contact your representatives and urge them to support the HITS Act. Download our official GRAMMYs On The Hill social media toolkit and join the conversation online.

Learn more about GRAMMYs on the Hill:

Since its inception, GRAMMYs on the Hill has honored dozens of award-winning artists, including 16-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, seven-time GRAMMY winner John Mayer, 13-time GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams, nine-time GRAMMY winner Sheryl Crow, and more. The annual event has also recognized influential congressional leaders, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), former Speakers of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and many others. GRAMMYs on the Hill has led to several major legislative victories for the music industry, including the landmark Music Modernization Act in 2018 and, more recently, the PEACE Through Music Diplomacy Act in 2022. 

Year-round, the Recording Academy's Washington, D.C.-based Advocacy team mobilizes Academy members and music professionals from across the country to present a powerful lobbying force that fights for music creators' rights at the local, state and federal levels. In 2024, the Academy helped pass five pro-music laws, supported 20 state and federal bills, and rallied more than 3,500 members to engage in music advocacy efforts nationwide. Learn more about the Recording Academy's advocacy impact in our GRAMMY Impact 2024 report.