Republicans make gains in the House, but red tsunami fails to materialize
The U.S. midterm elections were held Nov. 8, and we do not yet know which party will hold control of either chamber of Congress. The Senate is still too close to call. The Republican candidate is leading in Nevada, but the race remains too close to call. None of the Georgia candidates received more than 50% of the vote, and incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and football star Herschel Walker will head to a runoff Dec. 6. The last remaining Senate race is in Arizona, where incumbent Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) is leading businessman Blake Masters. Republicans need to win two of these remaining three races to flip control of the Senate in their favor. On the House side of Capitol Hill, Republicans appear to be in position to take control of the House if leads hold, though by a much smaller margin than anticipated by political experts and historical averages.
Join us Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m. CST for a post-election update from NRCA’s advocacy team. Duane Musser, Teri Dorn and Deb Mazol will discuss the results of the 2022 midterm congressional elections and the outlook for key legislative and political issues facing the new Congress in January 2023. Additional topics include roofing industry-specific workforce, energy and tax issues; Roofing Day in D.C. 2023; and ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee.
DOE requests input to accelerate manufacturing and deployment of clean energy technologies
The Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing & Energy Supply Chains and Office of Policy issued a request for public input to inform how Defense Production Act authority could be used to accelerate manufacturing and deployment of clean energy technologies to “bolster national defense, tackle climate change and environmental injustice, and improve employment opportunities and broader economic prosperity for Americans.”
In June, the president announced new authority for DOE to use the Defense Production Act pertaining to five clean energy technologies, including transformers and electric grid components; solar photovoltaics; insulation materials; and electrolyzers, platinum group metals and fuel cells for clean hydrogen; and heat pump manufacturing and deployment.
If you would like to respond to this request for information, please do so no later than 5 p.m. EST on Nov. 30. Only electronic responses will be accepted. Submit all comments to dpaenergy@hq.doe.gov and include “RFI: Defense Production Act” in the subject line.
NRCA submits comments regarding labor provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act
NRCA recently joined with associations representing the interests in the U.S. construction industry to request an extension of the public comment period by 60 days to provide feedback regarding labor provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act. Unfortunately, this extension was not approved.
Therefore, on Nov. 4, NRCA provided initial comments to the Treasury Department and IRS regarding a wide range of prevailing wage, apprenticeship, domestic content and energy community requirements that must be satisfied by taxpayers/developers seeking the full amount of tax credits for the construction of clean energy projects under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, in certain circumstances. NRCA’s comments focus on asking the IRS to provide additional clarity for businesses regarding the use of registered apprenticeships, good faith exemptions, penalties for unintentional violations and enforcement mechanisms.
Registration for Roofing Day in D.C. 2023 is open!
Each year, roofing professionals meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to discuss the critical issues facing their companies and the roofing industry. And you know what? We’re making a big difference. So far, we have increased funding for career and technical education, advanced legislation that addresses workforce development needs and secured a strong buildings component in bipartisan infrastructure legislation.
But our work is not done yet. We are just getting started. Join us for Roofing Day in D.C. April 18-19, 2023, and help us make it the biggest and best roofing industry advocacy event ever!
Registration is only $95 for company representatives and $35 for field workers, students and spouses. Please visit www.nrca.net/roofingday to view testimonials from last year’s event and learn more. Sign up today!
