Direct selling distributors and executives gather on the steps of the United States Capitol during DSA’s 2017 Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill, highlighting the diversity, unity, and scope of direct selling.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 125 direct selling distributors and executives representing 17 DSA member companies and 24 states met with Members of Congress during the Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) fourth annual Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill, Sept. 13.

Event participants shared personal stories with their local representatives and staff of how direct selling has positively impacted their lives, from providing access to discounts on the products they love, to the opportunity for supplemental income, to full-time careers and entrepreneurial success.

During face-to-face meetings, participants urged more than 100 policymakers to support H.R. 3409, the Anti-Pyramid Promotional Scheme Act of 2017, bipartisan consumer protection legislation introduced by Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Marc Veasey (D-TX); and discussed the importance of maintaining the independent contractor status for direct sellers.

“DSA’s Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill is the premier event for establishing and demonstrating our collective political muscularity,” said DSA President Joe Mariano. “I am grateful to the independent salespeople who have traveled to our nation’s capital to tell their stories and to demonstrate to policymakers the impact they have on people’s lives, communities, and the economy. There are approximately 47,000 people involved in direct selling in each congressional district across the country. Believe me, what you say — your story — has an impact on your representative.”

The day began with a series of briefings in support of direct selling from policymakers from both sides of the aisle, including Reps. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), founding members of the Congressional Direct Selling Caucus, and Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), and Henry Cuellar (D-TX).

Rep. Blackburn described her experience as a direct seller to help pay for college. “Many of the skills I rely on in Congress were learned while selling,” she said. Rep. Huizenga shared those sentiments: “I’m from an entrepreneurial family. It gives you a different perspective on what the real world is about. That’s why I’m proud to be a member of the Direct Selling Caucus. I pledge to continue to be your voice.” Rep. Cuellar reinforced the significance of DSA’s Direct Selling Day on Capitol Hill: “For us to make decisions, we need real information. We need direct sellers to come and share their story of how they run their businesses, roll up their sleeves, and get the job done.”

DSA will continue working with Members of Congress, legislators, and administrators in its ongoing efforts to police, protect, and promote direct selling and to ensure the substantial economic and personal value derived from direct selling is fully understood at all levels of government.