The Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) today announced the hiring of former U.S. Representative Sue Myrick as its key policy strategist as the organization fights to eliminate the $2.5 billion in duties plaguing the footwear industry. “Sue had a distinguished career in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost 20 years, working with both sides of the aisles to get things done,” says FDRA President Matt Priest, calling the hire a “game changer.” “She will elevate our name brand across Washington and will help us make an even stronger case for our priorities directly to her former colleagues.”
“FDRA is well known in Washington as the voice of the footwear industry and I am happy to be part of an organization fighting to lower consumer costs and create jobs,” Myrick says. “I believe we have a moral obligation to eliminate tariffs on footwear because they are a direct hit on the pocketbooks of lower-income and middle class families–people who can least afford it. And as a former businessperson myself, I see it as an innovation tax which prevents companies from growing and creating new and higher-quality footwear.” She adds, “2015 presents our best chance in a decade to pass meaningful trade legislation to eliminate these outdated tariffs. We will not miss any opportunity to tell the industry’s story with House and Senate leaders.”
