Overview
(February 12, 2016, Washington, DC) — Steptoe & Johnson LLP’s Government Affairs & Public Policy Group scored a huge victory on the floor of the US House of Representatives today with the passage of H.R. 2017, the Common Sense Nutrition Labeling Act by a vote of 266 – 144. On behalf of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and the Society of Independent Gasoline Marketers of America (SIGMA), Steptoe has played a leading role in advocating for this legislation over the last several years.
The need for H.R. 2017 arose from the enactment of a menu labeling law contained in the Affordable Care Act passed into law in 2010. That legislation was generally not controversial, but in December 2014 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adopted extremely stringent, and unworkable, rules for all types of restaurants – from fast food chains to grocers to Steptoe’s clients’ members operating convenience stores. The bill passed by the House will reverse FDA’s “one-size-fits-all” approach, and make menu labeling rules more user friendly for consumers and food establishments alike. Steptoe’s team played a critical role in drafting the legislation, ushering it through the committee process, and securing strong bipartisan support. It is very rare for the full House to act on legislation that is specifically tailored to a client’s needs in a burdensome regulatory arena. That is precisely what the Steptoe team accomplished.
H.R. 2017 now moves to the Senate, where companion legislation has already been introduced and awaits action. The goal is a public law this year.
Steptoe’s team is led by Tim Columbus, with Doug Kantor, Jim Barnette, Leslie Belcher, Lisa Mortier, Darryl Nirenberg, Luis Fortuño, Elizabeth Burks, Eva Rigamonti, Kate Jensen, Bob Maloney and Jessica Frend all playing roles in the effort.
About Steptoe
Steptoe & Johnson LLP is an international law firm widely recognized for vigorous advocacy in complex litigation and arbitration, successful representation of clients before governmental agencies, and creative and practical advice in guiding business transactions. The firm has more than 500 lawyers and other professionals in offices in Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, Phoenix and Washington. For more information, visit www.steptoe.com.
