RILA GAC Meeting: Political Outlook and Retail Priorities

Congress returns this week for a brief session before the July 4th recess, with lawmakers focused on advancing the housing bill and closely watching the President’s efforts to end the war with Iran. Against that backdrop, RILA’s Government Affairs Committee will meet in Washington, D.C., offering a timely opportunity to assess the political landscape and what it means for retailers. 

These biannual meetings help retail government affairs leaders plan for the policy and political developments that will shape the months and years ahead. With control of both the House and Senate at stake in the 2026 midterms, the outcome will determine what Congress can accomplish through 2028 and how effectively the Trump Administration can advance its policy priorities. 

The meeting will begin with a federal political outlook. RILA members will hear from Congressman Jack (R-GA) and Congresswoman DelBene (D-WA) on the House agenda for the remainder of the year and their perspectives on the midterms. The discussion will then turn to the Senate, where Reem Dodin, chief of staff to Senator Schatz (D-HI), will discuss how the office is preparing for Senator Schatz to assume the Democratic Whip role following Senator Durbin’s (D-IL) retirement and how retailers can best interact with his operation.  

From there, the agenda will broaden to state policy trends and the political environment shaping the next election cycle. Our friends at Multistate will discuss how this year’s state legislative sessions may preview what retailers should expect next year, including growing scrutiny from voters and lawmakers about dynamic pricing and emerging technologies. Kyle Kondik from Sabato’s Crystal Ball will then return to share his latest midterm election forecast. 

The day will close by connecting these political dynamics to the broader geopolitical and trade environment. As retailers navigate the Trump Administration’s, and possibly future Administrations, efforts to reshape the global trading system, understanding the near-, mid-, and long-term outlook for trade policy will be critical. 

We look forward to seeing you in Washington for a timely discussion of the political, policy, and economic issues shaping retail’s operating environment. 

Log in to read the rest of our weekly newsletter as a benefit provided to RILA members.