Why Showing Up Still Matters: Reflections on CRN’s 2026 Day on the Hill

On June 10, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) members fanned out across Capitol Hill with a mission that was both simple and significant: make sure policymakers understand who we are, what we do, and why the dietary supplement industry matters to millions of Americans.

This year’s Day on the Hill was among our most successful ever. More than 60 meetings were conducted with congressional offices, and more than 60 leaders from CRN member companies spent the day walking the halls of Congress, speaking directly with lawmakers and staff about the policies that affect our industry, our consumers, and our ability to innovate.

Advocacy and Visibility

Of course, our advocacy agenda was important. We discussed enhanced consumer access through coverage of supplements in FSAs and HSAs, the need for national uniformity of regulation, the Dietary Supplement Listing Act, tariffs, supply chain challenges, and the many issues that shape the future of our industry. But if you ask me what makes Day on the Hill so valuable, my answer has less to do with any single legislative priority and more to do with visibility.

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Congress works best when lawmakers hear directly from the people affected by the policies they write. That principle is especially important for our industry. Dietary supplements touch the lives of millions of consumers every day, yet many policymakers have limited opportunities to hear directly from the companies that develop, manufacture, market, and distribute these products.

That is why showing up matters.

Every congressional office we visited heard directly from employers, innovators, scientists, attorneys, marketers, manufacturers, and executives whose businesses operate in communities across the country. They heard from people creating jobs, investing in research, supporting local economies, and helping consumers take a proactive approach to their health and wellness. These conversations matter because they transform policy discussions from abstractions into realities.

Members of Congress do not simply represent legislative districts. They represent businesses, workers, consumers, and families. When our members sit across the table from lawmakers, they remind them that decisions made in Washington have consequences for real companies and real people back home.

Relationships and Trust

The importance of these relationships was underscored throughout the day. Representatives Mike Kennedy (R-UT), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and Nick Langworthy (R-NY) each took time to address CRN members directly, offering perspectives on the legislative environment and discussing issues important to our industry. Their participation was a welcome reminder that our industry has champions on both sides of the aisle who understand the importance of science-based nutrition, consumer access, and regulatory clarity.

Their presence also highlighted something that is often overlooked in advocacy: it is not enough to ask lawmakers for support. We must also take the time to recognize those elected officials who have worked alongside us on issues important to our industry. Relationships are built over time. Trust is earned through engagement. And when members of Congress demonstrate leadership on issues that affect our companies, our employees, and our consumers, it is important that they hear directly from us that their efforts matter.

Sharing Stories

In the days leading up to this year’s Day on the Hill, several CRN members sat down with us to reflect on why they continue to participate in the event year after year. Their insights captured exactly why these face-to-face conversations remain so vital.

Antony Talalay of Brassica Protection Products explained the unique value of in-person advocacy in a way that resonated deeply with me.

“But as we well know,” Talalay noted beforehand, “for certain people, it sticks in the brain when a person tells them a story. And that’s what we do.”

That observation gets to the heart of effective advocacy. Facts, data, and position papers are essential, but people remember stories. Talalay also emphasized how personal engagement shifts the entire dynamic of a political discussion, adding, “It’s telling our story in person and showing that these issues are from real companies and people and affect real lives…”

Similarly, Taneesha Routier of Xymogen emphasized how critical it is for lawmakers to connect policy proposals with the actual businesses and consumers in their home districts.

“Our participation, it helps to put a name to the face of a brand, where we have a productive conversation and legislators can see that we’re all in this together,” Routier shared before heading to Washington. “We support public health, informed choice, and access to the dietary supplements that help support the public’s best health.”

Essential Education

Those comments reflect something I witnessed repeatedly throughout the day. Regardless of political affiliation, lawmakers and staff want to understand how policies affect their constituents and the practical consequences of legislative proposals. They value hearing directly from the people who live with those consequences every day.

Barry Ritz of Nestle Health Science described Day on the Hill as an essential opportunity to participate directly in the policymaking process.

“It’s how we as a dietary supplement and functional food industry, speak our priorities and educate our elected officials,” Ritz explained in the run-up to the event.

That educational role cannot be overstated. Congressional staff members are responsible for understanding an extraordinary range of issues. On any given day they may be discussing agriculture, trade, healthcare, artificial intelligence, tax policy, or national security. It is unrealistic to assume they automatically understand the complexities of dietary supplement regulation, manufacturing, ingredient sourcing, consumer behavior, or the role our products play in supporting health and wellness. Helping them understand is our responsibility.

That is why Day on the Hill remains one of the most important events on CRN’s calendar.

Yes, we want to advance smart policy and support legislation that strengthens consumer confidence, enhances regulatory oversight, and promotes innovation. But our broader goal is to ensure that lawmakers recognize the dietary supplement industry as a credible, responsible, and valuable partner in advancing public health. We want policymakers to understand that support for our industry is support for businesses operating in their districts, employees working in their communities, and consumers seeking greater control over their own health.

Most importantly, we want them to remember that behind every policy debate are real people whose livelihoods depend on Washington getting policy right.

Every meeting we conducted on June 10 helped reinforce that message. Meaningful policy progress rarely happens overnight. More often, it happens one conversation at a time, one relationship at a time, and one visit at a time.

This year’s Day on the Hill was a powerful reminder that when our industry shows up together, our voice is stronger, our message is clearer, and our impact is greater.