The Vision Council (TVC) is intensifying its advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., to address trade and regulatory challenges affecting the optical industry and to support policies that ensure continued access to affordable vision care.

Through its government and regulatory affairs team, the organization is engaging with lawmakers and federal agencies to communicate industry priorities, particularly around tariffs, manufacturing policy, and federal regulations. TVC has held meetings with policymakers from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Ways and Means Committee, the Senate Commerce Committee, and the White House to address several key issues:

• The impact of reciprocal tariffs and additional duties on goods imported from China;
• Incentives for reshoring manufacturing operations closer to the U.S.;
• The expiration of key tax provisions that affect business operations;
• Unclear guidance from the Federal Trade Commission on "Made in USA" labeling;
• Inconsistent treatment of Class 1 medical devices by the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); and
• The expiration of the Generalized System of Preferences program, which previously allowed duty-free imports from developing countries.

“This is a critical time for The Vision Council to relay these messages and establish us as the voice of the industry,” says TVC CEO Ashley Mills. “We’ve been active on Capitol Hill and are making inroads with members across the House of Representatives, the Senate, the USTR, and the National Economic Council.”

Among recent efforts, representatives from TVC and member companies met with Robin Colwell, deputy assistant to the president and deputy director of the National Economic Council, to discuss the public health and economic benefits of accessible vision care.

The organization also met with Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) regarding upcoming budget legislation and supported advocacy through VisionPAC, TVC’s political action committee.

Additional outreach includes meetings with Connecticut legislators—such as Rep. Jim Himes, Sen. Chris Murphy, and staff from the offices of Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Richard Blumenthal—highlighting the regulatory and financial pressures facing optical businesses. The organization reports continued discussions with more than 20 other congressional offices across both parties.

To assist its members in navigating ongoing policy changes, TVC provides members several tools and resources on its website.