Congress faces tidal wave of deadlines as election season heats up
Congress members face numerous deadlines when they return from their congressional district work period next week. In addition to funding the government, lawmakers must pass legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration and portions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act before the end of spring. President Biden will give his State of the Union address March 7, and former President Trump will face more legal challenges during the next few months as he continues campaigning to secure the Republican presidential nomination. There also are numerous states holding their presidential and congressional primary elections March 5—a day called “Super Tuesday” by political insiders. NRCA continues to follow these developments and will keep members apprised of progress as we head into the summer.
Rep. Lisa McClain confirmed as Roofing Day in D.C. keynote speaker
Join us April 16-17 in Washington, D.C., for the largest advocacy event dedicated solely to the roofing industry. Our program is becoming more concrete, and we need more participants to reach our goals! Our keynote speaker will be Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.). McClain is a champion for the roofing industry and a member of congressional leadership. During her first term in Congress, she passed more bills than any other freshman Republican member while serving on four separate committees: Education and the Workforce, Budget, Oversight and Accountability, and Armed Services. Before serving in Congress, McClain spent more than 30 years in the business world, which gives her a keen eye regarding how to advance policies that allow businesses to grow and people to prosper.
Review our key advocacy issues for 2024—solutions to workforce shortages and pro-growth tax reform. To view our draft itinerary, book your hotel and register, visit www.nrca.net/roofingday.
OSHA employee representative rule advances in regulatory process
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is moving forward with finalizing a rule, originally proposed during summer 2023, to revise regulations regarding who may act as an employee representative to accompany OSHA compliance officers during workplace inspections. According to the agency, the proposed rule is aimed at clarifying that employees may authorize a nonemployee from a third party as their representative if the compliance officer determines the third party is reasonably necessary to conduct an effective inspection. On Feb. 9, OSHA transmitted the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the last stage of the regulatory process, for final rule. NRCA will be participating in a meeting with Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs officials to reiterate member concerns with this rule, as outlined in comments submitted to the agency by the Construction Industry Safety Coalition during fall 2023. These concerns include increased risks on multiemployer worksites, potential conflicts with longstanding agency guidance and other federal laws, and lack of clarity regarding how the new rules would work in practice.
Thank you for supporting ROOFPAC at the 2024 International Roofing Expo®
NRCA partnered with National Women in Roofing to host “An Elegant Extravaganza on the Strip” during NRCA’s annual convention and the 2024 International Roofing Expo to support ROOFPAC. Attendees enjoyed a signature bourbon cocktail, drinks and hors d’oeuvres during a fun and lively reception featuring a live auction where guests outbid each other to win vacations, handmade artwork, spirits and experiences.
NRCA also held its popular silent auction where participants enjoyed a complimentary bar and scored luxury items and a new item this year—a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol honoring the roofing industry. NRCA is extremely thankful to all winning bidders and attendees for their tremendous support for ROOFPAC and is thrilled to announce more than $70,000 was raised during these events. A special thanks to the many generous sponsors who helped underwrite the costs of these events so these funds can directly benefit ROOFPAC—your voice of the industry in Washington, D.C. And if you did not get a chance to support ROOFPAC during these events in Las Vegas, you can still visit www.nrca.net/advocacy/roofpac to learn more and contribute to our efforts.
