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U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, RICHARD HUDSON (R-NC) NAMED AS THE NEW CO-CHAIR OF THE DIRECT SELLING CAUCUS

(WASHINGTON, DC – March 8, 2019) –United States Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) is the new co-chair of the Congressional Direct Selling Caucusin the 116^thCongress. The caucus was established in 2015, as a bipartisan forum to build greater awareness about direct selling and policy issues relevant to the business. Representative Hudson will replace outgoing co-chair, U.S. Representative Marcia Blackburn (R-TN), who was elected to the United States Senate in 2018. He joins Representative Marc Veasey (D-TX) in co-chairing the 40-member bipartisan caucus. 

“The entrepreneurial spirit continues to fuel our modern economy as a growing number of Americans seek independent work,” said Rep. Hudson. “More than 18.6 million people are involved in direct selling, the majority of whom are women. As the new co-chair of the Congressional Direct Selling caucus, I’m pleased to be joining Rep. Veasey in reminding policy makers of the vitally important role that direct sellers play in both our local and national economies and the need to protect their ability to earn additional income for themselves and their families.” 

“Rep. Hudson has been a supporter of direct selling in Congress for years and we are grateful he has decided to take a more active role. is the We are grateful to Senator Blackburn for her early leadership of the caucus and look forward to working with her in the United States Senate to support direct selling,” said Joseph N. Mariano, President of the Direct Selling Association. “The bipartisan support for direct selling is a testament to the millions of people involved in direct selling and the importance of protecting and supporting the growing number of Americans are seeking independent work opportunities.”  

ABOUT THE DIRECT SELLING ASSOCIATION

The Direct Selling Association (DSA) is the national trade association for companies that offer entrepreneurial opportunities to independent sellers to market and sell products and services, typically outside of a fixed retail establishment.  In 2017, 18.6 million Americans were involved in some capacity in direct selling in every state, congressional district and community across the United States. In 2017, direct selling generated $34.9 billion in retail sales.