Restaurant industry leaders educated elected officials about how action taken in Congress impacts the industry.
Around 600 industry leaders from 42 states and Puerto Rico visited Washington, D.C. for the National Restaurant Association (NRA) 2019 Public Affairs Conference.
Industry leaders gave Representatives and Senators updates on key industry policies. They also called on Congress to tackle issues impacting the U.S. restaurant sector, including:
- addressing the qualified improvement property error in the 2017 tax bill
- sharing the industry’s perspective on strengthening border security while facilitating travel, tourism and a clear path to legalization for workers — as well as essential worker and employment verification systems
- and taking a balanced approach to the minimum wage debate, rather than “one size fits all”
“The Public Affairs Conference is the association’s opportunity to showcase the diversity, business expertise and economic impact of our industry, and to ensure that when policy debates occur, our voice is heard loud and clear,” said NRA Senior Vice President Steve Danon.
Conference attendees participated in discussions and heard policy updates from Sen. Cory Gardner, Rep. Kevin Hern and Rep. Jimmy Panetta.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta provided an update on issues impacting the nation’s workforce as well as administration economic policies.
Former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile spoke about the restaurant industry’s role in bringing together people and communities.
“In every corner of the country, restaurants are a part of the fabric of American life and represent places where workers get a first job, an opportunity for advancement over an entire career, or a path to a second chance in the working world,” said Brazile.
Founded in 1919, the NRA consists of more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of more than 15.1 million employees.
