WASHINGTON – Five years ago, Peter Tedeschi attended his first NACS Day on Capitol Hill event. Admittedly, he was nervous about meeting with members of Congress, but after a day full of meetings and talking about his business to legislators and their staff, he understood the importance of his role in our industry’s grassroots efforts.
This week, Tedeschi, president and CEO of Tedeschi Food Shops and NACS vice chairman of Government Relations and NACSPAC, kicked off the NACS Government Relations Conference and Day on Capitol Hill, serving as the moderator to a full day of discussions with several members of Congress and other guest speakers to a crowd of more than 120 retailers and industry stakeholders.
Tedeschi encouraged attendees to personalize our industry’s issues — data security, swipe fees, menu labeling and the Renewable Fuel Standard — during their Capitol Hill visits. “Don’t assume [members of Congress] know our business because many of them don’t,” he said. “Convey that we’re here to help” and let them know they can rely on us when grappling with legislation. He also stressed that this week’s meetings are a part of ongoing efforts that should continue throughout the year.
Three members of Congress spoke to attendees on issues important to them as well as our industry. Each one reiterated that members of Congress and staff appreciate hearing from retailers about their businesses. “Don’t assume we know all of your issues,” said U.S. Representative Lee Terry (R-NE), who serves as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade.
Terry talked about data security, noting that there are incredible risks associated with plastic payment options and challenges to staying abreast of a very sophisticated and frequent criminal activity. There exists no silver bullet to protect both businesses and consumers against these attacks, he said, but Congress is looking at reasonably acceptable standards that would give retailers flexibility and address when notifications on data breaches should take place.
U.S. Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Energy and Power, talked about climate change, citing the different approaches President Obama and Congress have taken to address the issue. The United States needs a reasonable approach to climate change, he stated, and not an alarmist point of view as other countries have taken. “We don’t have to take a back seat to any country on this issue,” he said.
U.S. Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) shared several issues Congress is working on to find common ground: long-term unemployment, workplace flexibility, simplifying the tax code, trade policy and immigration reform. She also noted the need for regulatory reform and greater transparency in the rulemaking process.
McMorris is a champion of NACS-supported legislation on menu labeling, the Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act (H.R. 1249), along with U.S. Representative Loretta Sanchez (D-CA). She said that the FDA’s proposed menu-labeling rules are projected to be one of the top five costliest rules in U.S. history. She thanked attendees for their help this week by bringing their perspectives to Capitol Hill.
During yesterday’s conference, attendees also heard guest speakers on the Renewable Fuel Standard; the political landscape of upcoming congressional elections; social media engagement with members of Congress; and public perceptions about the convenience store industry as it relates to offering healthy options and serving our communities.
Today, attendees are heading to Capitol Hill for more than 250 meetings with U.S. representatives, senators and their staff. Look for full coverage of the NACS Government Relations Conference and Day on Capitol Hill in the upcoming April issue of NACS Magazine.