Congressmen Smucker, Schneider To Co-Chair Congressional Candy Caucus

WASHINGTON - U.S. Representatives Lloyd Smucker, R-PA, and Brad Schneider, D-IL today announced that they will co-chair the bipartisan Congressional Candy Caucus.

Originally formed in 2016, the Congressional Candy Caucus is a bipartisan coalition of members of Congress who support America's chocolate and candy industry. The Caucus has several policy priorities including: creating a level playing field for confectioners by identifying solutions to supply chain challenges; supporting policies that allow U.S. food manufacturing to remain competitive on a global scale; and protecting good-paying American manufacturing jobs.

"The U.S. confectionery industry has a remarkable economic footprint in all 50 states, and especially in my home state and district in Pennsylvania," Rep. Smucker said. "We are proud of the many enjoyable chocolate and candy products made right here in America. I am honored to serve as co-chair of the Congressional Candy Caucus alongside my colleague Rep. Schneider to continue fostering a policy environment that ensures American chocolate and candy companies will thrive."

"Chocolate and candy make life sweeter-enhancing family traditions, special moments, and celebrations. At the same time, candy and chocolate manufacturing generates real economic momentum across the country and has kept countless family businesses in operation across generations," Rep. Schneider said. "I'm proud to be joining Congressman Smucker in leading the Congressional Candy Caucus and championing the confectionery industry for future success."

"Under the leadership of Congressmen Schneider and Smucker, the Congressional Candy Caucus is poised to do great things in conjunction with our iconic industry," John Downs, president & CEO of the National Confectioners Association, said. "The confectionery industry is a great American manufacturing success story. The companies that make chocolate, candy, gum and mints employ nearly 58,000 workers in more than 1,600 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states and support an additional 635,000 jobs in related fields. In fact, for every one job that we create in confectionery manufacturing in the U.S., another 11 U.S. jobs are supported in other sectors - and that is the Power Of Sweet."

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