WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Retail Federation (NRF) issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French on the District Council vote to sustain D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's veto of the Large Retailer Accountability Act (LRAA):

“The members of the National Retail Federation, which represents retailers and merchants of every size, thank Mayor Gray for his leadership on this important economic issue. We also thank the members of the District Council who have consistently voted for their constituents and against this flawed policy.”

"Plain and simple, the city council's vote to sustain the mayor's veto of the Large Retailer Accountability Act is a victory for D.C. jobs and the D.C. community.

"The residents of the District of Columbia will now be able to reap the benefits of continued economic growth, development and opportunity, career choices, and a wider diversity of retail options that come with a healthy and competitive marketplace.

"Just as important, today marks a clear defeat for the special interest groups that sought to advance a narrow political agenda without regard to the legislation's impact on current and future D.C. residents. No industry, and certainly no company, should be singled out by union organizers. D.C. needs retail as much as retail needs D.C.

"The members of the National Retail Federation, which represents retailers and merchants of every size, thank Mayor Gray for his leadership on this important economic issue. We also thank the members of the District Council who have consistently voted for their constituents and against this flawed policy."

As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S. establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities at home and abroad, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. www.nrf.com