Federal funding fights loom as elections enter homestretch
Congress continues to haggle over federal funding as the upcoming deadline of Sept. 30 nears. With an inability to pass individual spending bills, Congress likely will pass a short-term funding extension to either mid-December or March 2025, the latter of which is the current House Republican leadership’s preference. Meanwhile, election ballots have begun to hit the mail, and early voting begins this month in many states with election day less than two months away. Vice President Harris and former President Trump remain in a close race after the most recent debate and a thwarted second assassination attempt on the former president.
NRCA asks for pro-growth agenda for American families and businesses
On Sept. 12, NRCA joined with 529 organizations asking the next Congress and administration to prioritize a pro-growth agenda and prevent tax increases on American families and businesses. Without congressional action, American families, workers and businesses will see the largest tax increase in U.S. history on Jan. 1, 2026, when many provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 expire.
NRCA sends letter thanking Congress for efforts regarding regulatory relief for small businesses
NRCA recently joined 50 business associations thanking Congress for prioritizing legislation to provide regulatory relief and reduce red tape for small businesses. NRCA continues efforts to advance legislation to strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act and ensure the intent of the law is fulfilled.
The letter states: “Small businesses are concerned with the unprecedented pace of regulations coming from Washington. Over the last three and a half years, more than $1.6 trillion in new regulatory costs and almost 300 million new paperwork hours have been imposed on the private sector. These new burdens fall disproportionately on small businesses that do not have lawyers and compliance officers to navigate complex regulatory issues.”
NRCA urges resolution to labor negotiations to avoid supply chain disruptions
NRCA is urging President Biden to take action to resolve the current impasse regarding labor contract negotiations between the United States Maritime Alliance and the International Longshoremen’s Association. The current employment contract between the entities, which covers terms at numerous ports on the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., is scheduled to expire Sept. 30. Failure to reach agreement on a new contract and a possible strike interrupting the flow of commerce could have devastating consequences for economic growth and supply chains for numerous industries.
Given the seriousness of the situation, NRCA joined allied business associations in sending a letter to President Biden urging his administration to “provide any and all support it can offer to both parties” to resolve the situation before the deadline. The letter goes on to urge the administration to “utilize every authority at its disposal to ensure the continuing flow of goods and avoid undue harm to American consumers and the Nation’s economy” if a work stoppage occurs. NRCA will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates to members as developments warrant.
