The Direct Selling
Clarity Act
A short statute that writes the rules down — so truthful speech is lawful, fraud is prosecuted, and honest direct selling is recognized as the legitimate business it is.
"For more than thirty years we have asked people to believe that where you start need not be where you finish. That is the promise of America."
We are asking Congress to write it into law.
Steve and Gina Merritt · Campaign Founders
Equal footingin speech
A franchise owner, a realtor, and an insurance agent describe income every day. A direct seller saying the same true thing should stand on the same legal ground.
One standarddisclosure
Not silence, and not a loophole. A single written disclosure that anyone can follow and everyone can be measured against — voted on by Congress.
A legitimate businessopportunity
Direct selling supports millions of households. Fraud should be easier to prosecute — and honest selling should be impossible to prosecute.
The Campaign
Why This Matters.
What We're Asking For.
Three things you need to know before you send your letter to Congress.
The Problem
Congress has never once mentioned "direct selling" or "multi-level marketing" in the FTC Act. Every rule enforced against direct sellers was written by the agency itself — in memos, court settlements, and internal guidance — not by elected representatives. 12.2 million Americans are governed by rules that were never voted on.
Every Other Industry
Franchise owners, realtors, and insurance agents share income stories freely — no fear of FTC enforcement.
Direct Sellers
Share the same words → consent decree, speech injunctions, potential fines. The enforcement is anything but equal.
The Act
The Direct Selling Clarity Act is a five-provision bill that writes equal rules into law — passed by Congress, not invented by bureaucrats.
- Equal Speech — the same right to share truthful income stories that every other industry already has
- Clear Definition — a federal legal line between legitimate direct selling and an illegal pyramid scheme
- Written Safe Harbor — share success stories with a standardized disclosure, just like a franchise's Item 19
- Enrollment Disclosure — standardized income statements at point of enrollment, comparable across companies
- Government Accuracy — one standard for all industries, enforced fairly, nothing more and nothing less
Our Story
Steve and Gina Merritt built careers in direct selling and know firsthand what's at stake. Their mission: ensure direct sellers are recognized under the same clear, codified laws that govern every other legitimate business in America.
"Direct sellers deserve the same legal clarity as every other industry — not governed by internal policy alone."
Steve & Gina Merritt · Campaign Founders
Steve & Gina Merritt
Campaign Founders
Why We're Here
This Isn't About Us.
It's About the 12.2 Million.
"We're not asking for special treatment — we're asking for equal treatment. Direct selling is a legitimate industry and it deserves the same legal clarity that every other business in America already has."
It's about the 12.2 million Americans involved in direct selling — business builders, product users, and independent representatives — all held to a legal standard that no other industry faces. Congress has never written a single word about direct selling into the FTC Act. That changes with one letter.
Steve and Gina Merritt built careers in direct selling and understand what those 12.2 million Americans face every day: an industry that operates without the clear statutory protections every other business takes for granted. The Direct Selling Clarity Act changes that — and their role is to mobilize the grassroots campaign that sends 50,000 letters to Congress and makes this legislation impossible to ignore.
Real People. Real Stakes.
Your Neighbors.
Your Community.
Business builders, product advocates, and everyday participants — 12.2 million Americans who deserve fair, equal treatment under the law.
Step-by-Step Guide
Not sure how to send
your letter?
Our complete guide walks you through finding your representative, personalising your letter, and sending it for maximum impact.