Week Ahead
The House and Senate will be in recess until May 2^nd. This district work period is a very important time for members of both chambers to reconnect with their constituents. Take this opportunity to request meetings with your Senators and Representatives. Many of them host office hours and you can find specific information on their websites. Now would be a critical time to remind your elected officials of NACS€™ most pressing issue- Keeping Debit Card Swipe Fee Reform Intact! Call the NACS government relations team at 703-684-3600 for assistance in meeting your Members of Congress over the recess.

Week in Review
The House and Senate passed a continuing resolution that funds the federal government for the rest of 2011. President Obama is expected to sign it into law today. According to House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) the budget deal saves $315 billion over the next decade.

Swipe Fees
You should be outraged! Our industry paid out $9 billion in swipe fees in 2010 according to the latest data from the State of the Industry Summit. Write your members of Congress at nacsonline.com/swipefeesletter.

• State of Industry Affairs Update
  NACS president and CEO presented a state of affairs outlook on Capitol Hill and how five top issues affect the industry.

Fuels
NACS submitted testimony in a hearing yesterday entitled, "Drilling for a Solution: Finding Ways to Curtail the Crushing Effect of High Gas Prices on Small Business." This hearing was held by the House Small Business Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade. In the written testimony NACS makes the point that the "volatility in the retail gasoline and diesel fuel markets is challenging for consumers and retailers alike. In general, fuel retailers can operate more successful businesses when retail prices are lower and consumers have greater spending ability to purchase items inside the store. It is important for policymakers to remember that no two fuel retail outlets are equal - each may operate under different supply contracts, pay different rents for their property, and incur different operating costs. All of these considerations influence their ability to post a competitive price at the pump and still generate a profit."

Click here to to read the full text of the testimony.

Other Stories this week:

• USDA Boosts Blender Pump Assistance
  The USDA will begin offering grants and loan guarantees for stations that install new blender pumps.
• NACS to Senate: Retailers Need Legal Fuel Options
  NACS outlines core challenges and offers options available to Congress to help retailers legally sell higher ethanol blends and protect them from consumer misfueling liability.

Foodservice

• The ABCs of FDA€™s Menu Labeling Proposal
  Most convenience stores would be covered by the proposal and NACS is working with the FDA to ensure that the final rules do not impose any unnecessary burdens on the industry.