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The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Vice President for health care policy Neil Trautwein, following the Congressional Budget Office’s release of its latest score for the American Health Care Act.

The National Retail Federation today is bringing 20 retail executives from businesses large and small to Washington to meet with key administration officials and congressional leaders to try to keep a proposed $1 trillion border adjustment tax out of comprehensive tax reform currently under consideration. While NRF strongly supports tax reform, retailers believe the BAT is bad tax policy that would increase costs on everyday necessities like food, gas, clothing and prescription medicines for the average family by as much as $1,700 in the first year alone.

Retailers would “have no choice” but to pass the higher costs on to consumers if Congress passes a proposed $1 trillion border adjustment tax as part of tax reform, the National Retail Federation said today.

The National Retail Federation today urged Congress to focus on updating the existing federal income tax system through comprehensive reform rather than moving toward a consumption tax.

With more consumers buying for graduates this year – 36 percent compared with 34 percent in 2016 – total spending is expected to reach $5.6 billion. That’s the highest number in the survey’s 11-year history, topping last year’s previous record of $5.4 billion.

NRF has launched a radio ad campaign calling on the House to reject efforts to repeal debit card swipe fee reform that has saved retailers and their customers more than $40 billion.

Retail sales in April increased 0.3 percent seasonally adjusted over March and 3.0 percent unadjusted year-over-year, according to calculations released today by the National Retail Federation. The numbers exclude automobiles, gasoline stations and restaurants.

Imports at the nation's major retail container ports should see steady increases through the summer and into the fall, according to the Global Port Tracker report from NRF and Hackett Associates.

Retail industry employment increased by 2,500 jobs in April from March, the National Retail Federation said. The numbers exclude automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants. The overall economy gained 211,000 jobs in April, the Labor Department said.

The National Retail Federation today applauded the House for passing the American Health Care Act, legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act.