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CDA's 2024 Day on the Hill - Register Now!

May 15-16, 2024 • Register Now!

DOH23thumb Join your fellow CDA distributor members and CDA staff as we engage with federal officials in Washington, D.C. for our annual Day on the Hill on May 15-16, 2024.

Meetings will be scheduled with your hometown Members of Congress and key staff to discuss legislation impacting your business and employees. Attendees will also participate in policy briefings, dinner and breakfast programs, and a tour of some of our nation’s landmarks. View the video to the right for a recap of last year's event.

Please visit the CDA website for the tentative schedule and to register. Participation is limited, so register now to secure your spot.

For questions, please contact Kathee Facchiano at KFacchiano@capitoldecisions.com.


Congress Returns From Recess with Limited Time to Avoid Government Shutdown

The House and Senate returned from recess this week with limited time to address a pending government shutdown. Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) in January that funded four appropriations bills through March 1 and the remaining eight appropriations bills through March 8. All eyes are now on Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) to see how he navigates competing demands from the Freedom Caucus, who is insisting conservative policy riders be part of any spending package, and others in the GOP conference that believe such demands will only guarantee a government shutdown. The limited timeframe means another short-term CR might be needed, although Speaker Johnson has vowed in the past to not put forward any additional stopgap funding measures. Meanwhile, top leadership and appropriations staff in the House and Senate continue to work through the bills in the hopes of avoiding a shutdown. Johnson met this week to discuss appropriations as well as foreign aid and border security with President Biden, Vice President Harris, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY). Following the meeting, Johnson told reporters he was “very optimistic” that a deal could happen to “get that job done.” Read more here.


Campbell Names New Chief Customer Officer of Meals & Beverages

Campbell Soup Company has announced the appointment of Anthony Kyles as chief customer officer, meals & beverages, effective March 4, 2024. Kyles will lead the U.S. retail sales team for Campbell’s soups, meals, sauces and beverages, driving growth across the Meals & Beverages division with the company’s retail customers. For more details, read the official release.

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Don't Miss Your Chance: Enroll in the CDA Leadership Academy Today!

LeadershipIcon The CDA Leadership Academy, in partnership with GRITT Business Coaching, offers a comprehensive curriculum to ensure you gain the skills and presence necessary to excel in leadership roles, utilizing individual coaching, homework and application, in-person workshops and virtual classes. This program is ideal for high-potential employees, new managers and anyone seeking to enhance their communication, managerial, financial and leadership skills.

Don't miss the chance to redefine your leadership presence and empower yourself to lead with impact. Register for the CDA Leadership Academy today and embark on a transformative journey towards becoming a more effective and inspiring leader.

For more details and to secure your spot, click here or contact Angie Simonetti.


FDA Files Complaints Seeking Maximum Fines Against 20 More Retailers for Selling Unauthorized Elf Bar E-Cigarettes

On Feb. 26, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the filing of complaints for civil money penalties (CMPs) against 20 brick and mortar retailers for the sale of unauthorized Elf Bar e-cigarettes, a popular youth-appealing brand. The FDA previously issued each retailer a warning letter relating to their sale of unauthorized e-cigarettes. However, follow-up inspections revealed that the retailers had failed to correct the violations, and the agency is now seeking the maximum penalty amount of $20,678 for a single violation from each retailer. Read more here.


FDA Warns Five More Online Retailers for Selling Unauthorized E-Cigarettes Popular With Youth

On Feb. 28, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the issuance of warning letters to five online retailers for selling unauthorized e-cigarette products. These warning letters cite the sale of disposable e-cigarette products marketed under popular brand names such as Elf Bar/EB Design/EB Create, Funky Republic, Lost Mary, Hyde, Breeze and Cali Bars. Read more here.


CDA's 2024 Day on the Hill Registration Open

May 15-16, 2024 • Register Now!

DOH23thumb Join your fellow CDA distributor members and CDA staff as we engage with federal officials in Washington, D.C. for our annual Day on the Hill on May 15-16, 2024.

Meetings will be scheduled with your hometown Members of Congress and key staff to discuss legislation impacting your business and employees. Attendees will also participate in policy briefings, dinner and breakfast programs, and a tour of some of our nation’s landmarks. View the video  to the right for a recap of last year's event.

Please visit the CDA website for the tentative schedule and to register. Participation is limited, so register now to secure your spot.

For questions, please contact Kathee Facchiano at KFacchiano@capitoldecisions.com.


Don't Miss Your Chance: Enroll in the CDA Leadership Academy Today!

LeadershipIcon The CDA Leadership Academy, in partnership with GRITT Business Coaching, offers a comprehensive curriculum to ensure you gain the skills and presence necessary to excel in leadership roles, utilizing individual coaching, homework and application, in-person workshops and virtual classes. This program is ideal for high-potential employees, new managers and anyone seeking to enhance their communication, managerial, financial and leadership skills.

Don't miss the chance to redefine your leadership presence and empower yourself to lead with impact. Register for the CDA Leadership Academy today and embark on a transformative journey towards becoming a more effective and inspiring leader.

For more details and to secure your spot, click here or contact Angie Simonetti.


Few Signs of Momentum on Tax Bill in Senate; Wyden Urges Schumer Hold Vote on Bill After Recess

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-OR) urged Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to bring the House tax bill to the floor after the Senate returns from recess. The final days of the Senate before they left town were consumed by the debate around Ukraine and Israel funding as well as border security. Wyden said further delaying the business and enhanced child tax credit provisions in the bill would have costs, specifically citing the significant consequences for some businesses. A number of Senate Republicans remain opposed to the legislation without the chance for amendments. When Congress returns the week of Feb. 26, the first priority will likely be funding the federal government for the remainder of FY24. It remains unclear if the tax package could get 60 votes in the Senate if Schumer were to put it on the floor, or whether it would have a chance riding with the appropriations bill. A successful path forward would likely need to include at least some tweaks to satisfy Senate Republicans who want to put their stamp on the bill.


S. Abraham & Sons Hosting 38th Annual Vendor Exhibit & Trade Show

S. Abraham & Sons, Inc. (SAS), a subsidiary of Imperial Trading Company, is pleased to host its 38th Annual Vendor Exhibit & Trade Show. The show, themed “Adventures in the Wild West – Round Up the Savings with SAS”, will be held Feb. 22–23, 2024, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, MI. SAS added 14 new manufacturers, 534 new items, 269 manufacturers representing 190 booths to its trade show this year. For more details, read the official release.

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House and Senate in Recess, Work Continues on FY24 Spending Package and Security Supplemental

For weeks, the Senate worked on its emergency security supplemental appropriations bill to provide military funding and other aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, as well as boost border security operations. After removing the border security funding and policy changes due to political complications, the Senate voted 70-29 last week to pass the supplemental bill. The real question is what happens now in the House. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has already said he opposes the package because it lacks any border policy changes. Johnson is torn between conservatives hoping to add significant immigration policy changes to the bill and national security-focused Republicans hoping to quickly aid an ally facing weapons shortages on the battlefield.

If the House can get the security supplemental to the President’s desk, it would make the process of passing the regular FY24 appropriations package much more likely. If the security supplemental lingers in the House, it will disrupt and complicate FY24 appropriations negotiations. Both chambers are in recess this week, leaving very few days to navigate the political and procedural hurdles ahead to avoid shutdown deadlines on March 1 and 8.

Regardless, Senate and House Appropriations Committees are working at a feverish pace to complete their bills. As many as four of the March 1 deadline bills (Military Construction/Veterans Affairs, Transportation/HUD, Energy and Water, and Agriculture/FDA) are reportedly close to completion. Perhaps they will soon be ready to bring to the floor of both chambers in time to avoid a shutdown. Meanwhile, the remaining eight bills funding all the other federal departments are still works in progress, as well as the policy riders seeking to be attached to the bills. It remains unclear how the FY24 package will play out.


NCSA Assumes Guardianship of Kettle Awards

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has acquired the Kettle Awards, an annual recognition for a deserving individual working within the U.S. confectionery industry, from BNP Media. The 77th Kettle Awards presentations will be held during a reception at the Eiteljorg Museum, located in Indianapolis, on Tuesday, May 14, at 5:30 PM.

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