It took place Nov. 29–30.
(Press Release) ALEXANDRIA, VA – Joined by volunteer representatives from various member companies, The Vision Council held its annual Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee Capitol Hill Fly-In highlighting its ongoing efforts to bridge relationships between member companies and their elected officials.
The two-day event, which took place Nov. 29–30, included a day-long meeting of The Vision Council’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee followed by a full day of meetings with representatives and their offices. Events focused on topics of high priority to the industry, including:
- Unique Device Identifier (UDI) regulations, the ophthalmic lens exemption and status of an ophthalmic frame exemption.
- California Proposition 65 regulatory changes BpA Safe Use Determination (SUD) status.
- Support for maintaining the Pediatric Eye Exam benefit and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) legislation.
The meetings also covered the industry implications of tax reform efforts and potential trade issues, among others.
“Our annual Government and Regulatory Affairs Capitol Hill Fly-In allows us to bring together key Members of Congress with representatives from organizations across the industry to advance the issues affecting our businesses,” said Frederic Grethel, CEO of Enso Eyewear and Chair of The Vision Council’s Government and Regulatory Affairs Committee. “These meetings allow us to give our industry a voice on Capitol Hill.”
The Vision Council’s Government Affairs Committee members represent companies from several membership divisions. Present at the Fly-In were representatives from De Rigo REM, Enso Eyewear, Eschenbach Optik, Essilor, Eyewear Designs, FGX International, Marchon, National Vision, Inc., Safilo, VSP, Walman Optical and Walmart Optical. Meetings were held with multiple elected officials and their offices, including but not limited to:
- Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ)
- Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
- Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA-29)
- Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR)
- Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
- Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ-11)
- Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
- Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT)
- Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-NJ-09)
- Sen. David Perdue (R-GA)
- Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-28)
- Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ-06)
- Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ-09)
- Rep. Steve Womack (R-AR-3)Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA-07)
Both nationally on Capitol Hill, within the federal agencies, and back home in the local districts and states, The Vision Council strives to educate, cultivate and strengthen key relationships with elected officials and decision-makers that have oversight of the optical industry. It remains imperative and an important goal for The Vision Council to serve as the go-to expert and resource for all policymakers interested in the eyewear frame and lens community.