House approves border security and enforcement legislation
The House passed the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2), legislation to improve border security and combat illegal immigration, on a largely party line vote of 219-213. The bill would modify rules for asylum eligibility, increase penalties for immigration violations, expand employment verification requirements, increase Border Patrol staffing and expand border wall construction. The employment verification provisions would phase in use of the E-Verify program by employers to electronically verify the employment status of all new hires. If enacted, it would require most employers with more than 10,000 employees to begin using E-Verify within six months of the date of enactment; employers with 500 to 9,999 employees to begin using E-Verify within one year; employers with 20 to 499 employees to begin using E-Verify within 18 months; and employers with one to 19 employees to begin using E-Verify within two years. The bill is unlikely to be considered by the Senate, but its passage by the House may jump-start negotiations among both parties regarding an alternative that could include broader reforms.
ROOFPAC needs your help to finish the fiscal year strong!
NRCA’s fiscal year ends May 31, and we are asking all members to consider a personal donation to ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee and the voice of the roofing industry on Capitol Hill. A strong ROOFPAC is critical to NRCA’s work advancing pro-growth economic policies, career and technical education, reasonable immigration reform and more! NRCA members can contribute any amount up to $5,000 annually online or by mail, email or fax.
You also can join a ROOFPAC club that offers exclusive benefits and recognition: Emerging Leaders Club: $250; Capitol Hill Club: $1,000; Political Insiders Council: $5,000.
Questions? Contact Teri Dorn, NRCA’s director of political affairs, at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.
House Committee holds hearing on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
On May 11, the House Education and Workforce Committee’s subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing, “Examining America’s Workforce Challenges: Looking for Ways to Improve Skills Development.”
The hearing focused on reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a key priority during Roofing Day in D.C. 2023, and the need for reforms to help the U.S. overcome the skills gap in its workforce. View the full hearing.
Join petition to protect small businesses from harmful tax policy
NRCA encourages industry partners to cosign onto the National Federation of Independent Business’s petition, “My Small Business is Not a Tax Loophole.” On March 9, President Biden shared his proposed budget for 2024. For one of the largest tax increase proposals, President Biden claims he is “closing a loophole” by subjecting business income to a new 5% tax: “The Budget closes a loophole that allows certain business owners to avoid paying Medicare taxes…” Join fellow businesses across the U.S. by adding your business to our petition and helping to set the record straight—as a business owner, you pay more taxes than you are given credit for.
