Week Ahead
The Senate will be debating the cuts necessary in order garner support to raise the debt ceiling this week. Yesterday, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expressed his doubts that a demit-limit increase compromise could be reached before Congress??s August recess. The deadline for increasing the debt limit is August 2.

NACS is sending a letter to the Hill tomorrow strongly opposing language in President Obama??s draft transportation legislation, which rolls back the existing 50-year prohibition on rest area commercialization to allow state governments to install electric vehicles charging infrastructure at rest areas and to charge a fee for it.

Week in Review
Last week, NACS joined other members of the Employers for Flexibility in Health Care (EFHC) in comments submitted to the Department of Treasury providing input on employer mandate regulations relating to: the definition of a full-time employee, the 90-day waiting period, employer penalties, auto enrollment, communication between Exchanges and employers, and the affordability test and minimum valued standard.

The coalition is comprised of representatives of the retail, restaurant, temporary staffing, insurance, franchise, grocery, construction, hotel and lodging, hospitality and other industries employing variable workforces.

Other Stories

• Rest Area Commercialization Will Harm C-Store Industry
  Businesses located off Interstate highways, such as convenience stores, cannot compete with commercialized rest areas.
• House Cuts Food Safety Funding
  Millions were cut from the FDA??s budget last week, which denies the agency the necessary funding to implement food safety laws approved by the previous Congress.
• Senate Passes Repeal of Ethanol Blender Credit
  The vote indicates both a shift in the politics of motor fuels policy and the wavering support for subsidies.
• NACS Comments on Shared Responsibility for Employers Regarding Health Coverage
  The letter from the Employers for Flexibility in Health Care asks for clarification on the definition of a full-time employee, among other issues.
• FDA To Unveil Final Warning Selections for Cigarettes
  On Tuesday, the agency will reveal the graphic imagery for cigarette packaging and advertising.
• Menu Labeling Law Will Harm Small Companies
  Republicans say the new regulations will unfairly burden small businesses.
• Senate Passes Ethanol Tax Break Bill
  Sen. Tom Corburn??s proposal to end ethanol tax subsidies did not have the 60 votes necessary to staunch a threatened filibuster.
• Justice Department Rules that Visa, MasterCard Must Compete on Price
  The Justice Department finalizes the consent decree it entered with Visa and MasterCard in October 2010.