The National Retail Federation announced that Congressman Peter Welch, D-Vt., is one of the retail advocate’s Legislator of the Year honorees. Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina, was honored with the Legislator of the Year distinction in the Senate. The award was presented on Tuesday during the Retail Advocates Summit, NRF’s annual congressional fly-in.
“Rep. Welch has been a steadfast champion of the retail industry in Vermont since his election in 2006,” said Erin Sigrist, vice president of the Vermont Retail & Grocers Association. “From advocating for equal opportunities for brick and mortar stores in online sales to leading the charge on swipe fee reform, Rep. Welch has been committed to finding policy solutions that allow Vermont businesses to remain viable.”
Sigrist and VRGA members Marc Sherman of Stowe Mercantile and Trudy Trombley of The Boutique, both in Stowe, Andrew Brewer of Onion River Sports in Montpelier, and Caleb Magoon of Power Play Sports in Morrisville were in attendance as Welch received his award. The group also spent a day on Capitol Hill advocating on retail issues in Vermont.
“From major international retailers to Vermont country stores, the retail industry plays a crucial role in job creation and economic development in Vermont and around the country,” Welch said. “It has been a pleasure to work with the National Retail Federation on solutions that are good for the retail industry and consumers including cutting credit card swipe fees and making sure Main Street small businesses can compete on a level playing field with online retailers.”
“Congressman Welch is a leader on swipe fee reform and has been a longtime advocate for other top-priority policy issues for retailers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “He championed legislation calling for the Federal Reserve to prevent debit card providers from charging out-of-control fees to small businesses, and helped bring transparency to debit interchange costs for merchants.”
The Vermont Retail and Grocers Association represents approximately 800 retail stores and 250 suppliers to the industry, including members of the Vermont Specialty Food Association. Current members include clothing stores, sports stores, supermarkets, food co-ops, beverage stores, convenience stores, and general and country stores, as well as many other merchants. Associate members include manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers, and service providers.
Also, Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi has named House Democrats to serve on a conference committee reconciling House and Senate versions of an energy and natural resources package. Among them is Congressman Peter Welch of Vermont.