Congress poised to fund government through Dec. 16
Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) conceded his efforts to include energy permitting reform in Congress’s most recent federal spending bill to keep the government open past Sept. 30, the last day of fiscal year 2022. Manchin’s provisions received bipartisan opposition, and if left in, they likely would sink the entire funding legislation. Instead, it appears Congress will fund the government temporarily in time to avoid a shutdown. This legislation funds all government agencies while providing additional money for Ukraine, disaster relief and a reauthorization of the Food and Drug Administration’s user fee programs.
NRCA urges permanent bipartisan immigration reform to address workforce needs
NRCA continues to advocate for immigration reform that addresses the roofing industry’s workforce needs and recently joined the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus, a coalition working to break through partisan gridlock in search of bipartisan solutions. As part of this effort, numerous NRCA member companies joined a letter expressing strong support for permanent solutions for individuals with Temporary Protected Status, those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and other essential workers. The coalition letter to congressional leaders noted “reforming the U.S. immigration system is an economic imperative” and urged passage of “bipartisan immigration reforms that promote economic growth, improve border security, and reflect American values” before the end of 2022. Congressional action regarding immigration appears unlikely before the midterm elections in November, but consideration is possible when Congress meets in a “lame duck” session after the elections.
NRCA fights to oppose burdensome and unnecessary reporting requirements
NRCA, along with other business trade groups in the Main Street Employers Coalition, are leading efforts to oppose the inclusion of the Establishing New Authorities for Business Laundering and Enabling Risks to Security Act in the final version of this year’s National Defense Authorization Act. Under the guise of combatting illicit activities, the ENABLERS Act would require a broad pool of covered businesses, foundations and charities to collect and report beneficial ownership information; report any suspicious transactions; and establish anti-money laundering policies. The bill’s goal is to increase reporting by “professional service providers who serve as key gatekeepers to the U.S. financial system,” but its broad language would cover the owners, board members and senior executives of most businesses and charities. Anyone engaged in an entity’s formation, acquisition or disposal would be covered, as would owners and employees engaged in money management, payment processing, wire transfers, or buying and selling currencies. The ENABLERS Act is unlikely to help law enforcement agencies crack down on money laundering and illicit drug trades, but it is guaranteed to subject millions of law-abiding businesses, nonprofits and other entities to costly and time-consuming reporting, audits, fines and possible jail terms.
What everyone is talking about
Hurricane Ian. We hope everyone in Florida is staying safe. NRCA encourages you to be sure homeowners and business owners know NRCA members are available to provide expertise regarding immediate steps to take to restore a damaged roof system after a hurricane. NRCA’s consumer website, www.everybodyneedsaroof.com, offers resources roofing professionals can share with their customers regarding how to handle roof system repairs after natural disasters such as hurricanes.
