NSGA Goes To Washington

By Julie Pitts 
NSGA Director of Public Affairs 

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (March 31, 2025) – The National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) held a legislative fly-in to Capitol Hill for meetings on March 26, 2025. Members of the NSGA Board of Directors and staff met with federal legislative offices to address fair marketplaces, pro-small business tax and financial policies, and promotion of sports participation.   

Fly-ins and appointments with legislative offices provide valuable opportunities for NSGA members to directly share concerns and suggestions with decision-makers and connect public officials with the businesses and communities they serve. 

Insights from these meetings can influence an official’s priorities, policies, or legislation as personal experiences can leave a lasting impression and shape how officials perceive and address certain issues. These appointments also present an opportunity to hold officials accountable for their actions and commitments. Discussing specific concerns or seeking updates can ensure transparency and responsiveness. 

NSGA specifically asked these offices to: 

1. Support measures which deliver fair marketplaces for small businesses where market dominance is addressed through enforcement of existing anti-trust laws and big tech is regulated so that competition is encouraged and can be sustained. 

2. Support the Main Street Tax Certainty Act (HR 703/S 213) to make the 20% small business tax deduction for qualified business income permanent. Small businesses provide economic engines through the United States, and they need continued support to keep a level playing field with larger corporations. 

3. Support and co-sponsor the Credit Card Competition Act when introduced in the 119^th Congress. This bipartisan, bicameral bill requires that multiple networks be enabled on credit cards so that networks would have to come to the table and negotiate fees, security, and terms of acceptance with merchants to control the rising cost of swipe fees for merchants and consumers. This legislation curbs the duopoly of Visa and Mastercard, providing another pathway to a fair marketplace. 

4. Support legislation that encourages healthy activities for Americans including tax-favorable legislation for recreational and sports-related activities and equipment and protection of the outdoors. This included discussion of the PHIT Act, which NSGA is an original sponsor. 

The NSGA fly-in consisted of 15 appointments – 12 with Senate offices and 3 with members of the House of Representatives. Meetings were held with 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats from 8 states. 

Finally, NSGA welcomes regular interactions with legislative offices to establish working relationships with elected representatives, ensuring they remain attuned to the needs of our retailer and dealer members. 

For more information about NSGA’s advocacy efforts, contact advocacy@nsga.org or nsga.org/advocacy.