(Washington, DC) – The National Restaurant Association today congratulated Senators Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) on being elected to new leadership positions within the United States Senate. Kyl moved up to the Minority Whip position; Alexander was elected Republic Conference chairman.

“It is great to see friends of the restaurant industry move further up the ranks of Congressional leadership,” said John Gay, senior vice president of Government Affairs and Public Policy. “Both Senator Kyl and Alexander are supportive of various battles that the restaurant industry is fighting on Capitol Hill, including restaurant depreciation and repeal of the death tax. We look forward to continuing to work with these Congressional leaders and members of both parties on policy issues critical to the restaurant industry such as food safety and health care.”

The National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which is comprised of 935,000 restaurant and foodservice outlets and a work force of 12.8 million employees. The Association promotes a pro-employer/pro-employee agenda and supports sound public policy that ensures that restaurants can continue to thrive, grow and create jobs.