Government and Regulatory Affairs Update

08/09/2023

Dear Member,

I hope this message finds you well. Over the last several months, the Government and Regulatory Affairs team has worked to develop and deepen relationships with members of Congress in an effort to create champions for our causes. I am happy to share that Representative Drew Ferguson of Georgia has championed an industry specific letter asking the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to consider excluding prescription and nonprescription eyewear from the ongoing China 301 tariffs.

To view the official letter, please click here.

Representatives Brad Wenstrup of Ohio and Carol Miller of West Virginia have also signed this letter. It is important to note that all three members sit on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, a committee we have been working very closely with and is aware of the issues our members are facing. We hope to share the USTR response to the letter when available.

Please take an opportunity to express your gratitude and strengthen these vital relationships by personally reaching out to the three lawmakers who have shown exceptional dedication and support for our causes. Contact information for the members are:

Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA-3)
2239 Rayburn H.O.B
Washington, DC 20515
P: (202) 225-5901

Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-OH-2)
2335 Rayburn H.O.B
Washington, DC 20515
P: (202) 225-3164

Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV-1)
465 Cannon H.O.B
Washington, DC 20515
P: (202) 225-3452

Here's how you can help:

Make a Phone Call: Please consider calling the offices of these legislators to thank them for their support. Be sure to identify yourself, your role, and our association. Express your appreciation for their work and highlight how it has positively impacted our industry. It may seem simple, but these actions make a difference; a phone call can have a significant impact.
Share Your Story: If you have a personal story about how tariff relief would positively affect you or your business, don’t hesitate to share it. Stories can be powerful reminders of the real-world impact of their work.
Encourage Ongoing Support: Politely encourage the lawmakers to continue their valuable support for our industry and the specific issues that matter most to us.

Adding your voice to the ongoing work we are doing will help solidify The Vision Council’s identity on the Hill and help recruit more champions for issues affecting the industry moving forward.

Connecting with the Representative in your district is also a way to raise The Vision Council’s profile on the Hill and make it easier for lawmakers to familiarize themselves with our issues and membership. For help locating your representative, please use this link. A simple introduction of who you are, your business, and the issues you are facing can go a long way. Please be sure to inform them that you are a member of The Vision Council.

Let’s make your voices heard and show our gratitude to these important allies.

For those who would like to send thank you messages via social media, please find language below for your convenience.

Twitter: Thank you to @RepDrewFerguson @RepCarolMiller @RepBradWenstrup for your commitment to vision care, and for asking the USTR to consider 301 tariff exclusions for prescription and nonprescription eyewear.

Please direct all questions to Omar Elkhatib, The Vision Council’s Sr. Manager of Government Relations at oelkhatib@thevisioncouncil.org.

Sincerely,

Ashley Mills
CEO
The Vision Council