15 necsema.net secured additional legislative assurances. House Agriculture Appropriations language now directs the FDA not to enforce the rule prior to July 20, 2028, and requires the agency to work collaboratively with retailers to identify flexibility—especially around lot-level tracking requirements that pose unique challenges for high-vol- ume retail environments. Building Coalitions and Moving New Legislation Beyond defensive efforts, the industry advanced proac- tive policy goals through coalition building and legislative engagement. Among them: • Reintroduction of bipartisan legislation to al- low hot food purchases under SNAP. • Legislation to ban processing fees on SNAP transactions, protecting both retailers and ben- efit recipients. • Continued work on organized retail theft, recognizing its impact on frontline employees and store safety. The Merchants Payments Coalition—originally launched with NACS’ support—expanded its reach in 2025, adding new retailer groups, tribal organizations, consumer advocates, and labor unions to its campaign to rein in excessive credit card swipe fees. Political Engagement That Moves the Needle Underpinning every legislative win was a sustained commitment to political engagement. The true driver of all of these successes is the willingness of industry members to engage directly with their federal representatives: • 36,500 messages sent to Congress through NACS calls to action on issues such as swipe fees and the penny shortage. • 164 industry participants attending the annual NACS fly-in, holding 188 meetings on Capitol Hill focused on tax policy, SNAP, E15, and payments. • 14 NACS In Store events, bringing lawmakers face-to-face with retailers and employees in their stores. Additionally, NACSPAC raised $842,000 in 2025, more than a 4% increase over the prior year. Looking Ahead 2025 reinforced a simple lesson: even in chaotic politi- cal times, consistent engagement and clear messaging can deliver results. The industry’s ability to speak with a unified voice—and back it up with grassroots advocacy— continues to translate into tangible policy outcomes. As debates over fuels, food access, payments, and taxa- tion continue, one thing remains clear: when convenience retailers show up in Washington, policymakers listen. Matt Durand Deputy General Counsel NACS | Advancing Convenience & Fuel Retailing 1 Get Approved. Apply and qualify your gas station. 2 Get A Machine. We install our air machine at your station. 3 Get Paid. We collect payment and send you a check. No Cost Big Rewards Revenue Share Program Get in touch (401) 732-8420 [email protected] airexcelus.com Visit our website to learn more with real-time tracking
