Federal government shutdown continues
Lawmakers in Congress and President Trump continue to spar over how to reopen the federal government after the recent failure to agree on legislation to provide funding to agencies for the start of the fiscal year Oct. 1. Numerous votes in the Senate have failed on a spending bill that would keep the government operating at existing funding levels until Nov. 21, which was approved by the House to allow more time for negotiations to reach agreement on bipartisan appropriations bills. Congressional Democrats are demanding the inclusion of an extension of health care tax credits scheduled to expire later this year in any legislation to fund the government.
Although the prognosis for how long the shutdown will last is highly uncertain, recent delays at airports throughout the U.S. and other adverse effects from the shutdown have the potential to ratchet up pressure on both sides to reach an agreement and return to normal government operations. Additionally, several Republican lawmakers have quietly circulated possible compromise plans related to the expiring health care tax credits at the center of dispute, potentially providing a solution to the impasse.
As the shutdown continues, federal agencies are operating indefinitely with only employees and functions deemed “essential” by the administration with most federal operations related to national security and law enforcement only lightly affected. View more information about potential effects of the shutdown on employers.
Trade policy developments
In an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Trump discussed the possibility of negotiating separate trade deals with Canada and Mexico rather than renegotiating the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement that was concluded during the first Trump administration in 2020 and is up for renewal in 2026. That trilateral agreement was the successor to the North American Free Trade Agreement originally negotiated among the three nations during the 1990s. Trump and Carney indicated some progress was made on potential reductions in U.S. tariffs on some Canadian products—including 50% duties on steel and aluminum, as Canada has been seeking—but no agreement was reached.
Also, the Trump administration has announced a new 10% tariff on imports of all timber and lumber imports and 25% levies on kitchen cabinets and furniture effective Oct. 14. On Jan. 1, 2026, the tariffs on imports of furniture products will increase to 30% and those on imports of kitchen cabinets will rise to 50%. Additionally, President Trump has indicated a 25% tariff on imports of medium and heavy duty trucks soon will be officially announced to take effect Nov. 1.
Senate approves Keeling to head OSHA
The Senate approved 11 of President Trump’s nominees to positions at the Department of Labor and other agencies, including David Keeling as assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Keeling has an exemplary record as a highly qualified safety and health professional, including leading the safety practices of Amazon and UPS. NRCA has interacted with Keeling in recent years at meetings of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Labor Relations Committee, which involves discussion of OSHA regulatory policies. Given his strong qualifications to lead the agency, NRCA was pleased to join the National Safety Council, the American Society of Safety Professionals and many other organizations in support of Keeling’s nomination and looks forward to working with him regarding OSHA regulatory issues important to the roofing industry.
Support ROOFPAC over drinks during NRCA’s fall meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Join your roofing friends and colleagues for a sunset cocktail reception benefiting ROOFPAC on Tuesday, Oct. 28, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Outrider Rooftop Lounge in Scottsdale. Unwind with fellow industry leaders overlooking the stunning Camelback Mountain—all while strengthening the roofing industry’s voice on Capitol Hill ($175 per person/$275 per couple). Members of NRCA’s Political Insiders Council and Capitol Hill Club, along with their guests, receive complimentary admission. We thank Amrize—whose portfolio includes Elevate Commercial Roofing Systems, Gen-Flex, Duro-Last, Enverge, Gaco and Malarkey—for making this event possible.
For more information or to register, please visit www.nrca.net/roofpac-fall-event. For any questions or to secure the couples’ rate, contact Teri Dorn at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.
