Registration for Roofing Day in D.C. 2026 remains open; hotel deadline is tomorrow
Book now! The deadline to reserve your room at the Roofing Day in D.C. 2026 headquarters hotel is Friday, March 27.
Join your friends and colleagues April 14-15 for the largest advocacy event dedicated solely to the roofing industry. Each year during Roofing Day in D.C., roofing professionals meet with members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill to discuss major issues of importance to the roofing industry. Our priority issues this year will focus on solutions to workforce shortages and addressing the U.S.’ affordable housing crisis.
All you need to do is register! During the event, expert speakers and panelists will inform and inspire you to help you prepare for your meetings on Capitol Hill. As always, attendees will have ample opportunity to network and connect with fellow professionals, and we encourage you to bring key employees to the event.
For more information about the program and to register, please visit www.nrca.net/roofingday!
White House meeting about immigration policy
NRCA and allied organizations in the Secure Immigration Alliance met with senior staff of the White House Office of Public Liaison regarding immigration policy, stressing the critical need for immigration reforms that address security and workforce needs. Participants commended President Trump for successful efforts to secure the border and relayed the many ways in which legal immigration is critical to addressing workforce shortages and economic growth in roofing and other industries. Participants advocated for the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494), bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. visa system to meet the workforce needs of roofing and similar industries, and the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), a bill that strengthens border security along with numerous immigration reforms, including the opportunity for legal immigrants with temporary status and long-term undocumented immigrants to earn permanent legal status through work experience, educational achievement or military service. The meeting was productive in continuing NRCA’s outreach to the Trump administration in support of balanced immigration policies that address workforce needs as discussions among lawmakers on Capitol Hill continue regarding this topic.
Senate confirms Sen. Mullin to head DHS
The Senate confirmed President Trump’s nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. The vote was 54-45, largely along party lines, with all Republicans except Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) supporting and all Democrats except Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) opposing. Mullin is a former business owner who has served for more than a decade in the Senate and House, where his record regarding immigration policy is largely consistent with that of President Trump. Mullin takes over at DHS as the administration reportedly is recalibrating its hardline approach on immigration matters. Mullin indicated during his confirmation hearing that federal immigration agents will begin using judicial warrants before entering homes or businesses to enforce immigration laws—a significant shift by the administration, which previously has allowed agents to enter private property with only administrative warrants that do not have to be signed by a judge. This policy change comes as leaders from both parties and the White House continue to negotiate regarding proposed restrictions on immigration enforcement activities as part of legislation to fully fund DHS, which has been operating with only partial funding since mid-February.
H-2B supplemental visas now available
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced the statutory cap for the H-2B seasonal visa program for the second half of fiscal year 2026 (which begins April 1) has been met based on applications filed by businesses in need of H-2B workers to supplement their workforce. This triggers the availability of supplemental visas authorized in a temporary final rule Feb. 6, and the filing dates for the second and third allocations of the supplemental visas have now been established. View more information regarding the supplemental visas, including the applicable filing deadlines. NRCA will continue to provide updated information about the availability of H-2B supplemental visas as developments warrant.
OSHA announces new voluntary programs to promote safety and regulatory compliance
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the Safety Champions Program, a “new cooperative initiative designed to help employers develop and implement effective safety and health programs.” The program has three progressive steps aligned with the agency’s recommended safety and health practices and will allow employers to build safety programs over time and adopt best practices tailored to their needs and operations. It further incorporates seven elements essential for effective safety and health programs: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification, prevention and control, education and training, program evaluation and communication. View more information about the Safety Champions Program.
OSHA announced another new initiative, OSHA Cares, which is an “agency-wide effort focused on helping businesses meet federal workplace safety requirements, while also building strong, successful safety and health programs that benefit employers and workers.” The agency indicates the program is intended to “strengthen customer service” and “prioritize prevention and collaboration,” with a focus on making the agency “more approachable” and encouraging employers to “seek assistance or guidance to improve safety and health at their worksite.” As part of this effort, OSHA highlights expanded compliance assistance and offering more consistent workplace assistance during enforcement activities. View more information about the OSHA Cares initiative.
Department of Labor issues guidance regarding Registered Apprenticeships
The Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced new guidance regarding Registered Apprenticeships that is “designed to improve flexibility and reduce burdens for program sponsors, promote clarity and consistency in the registration process across states, elevate quality standards, and increase transparency surrounding the structure of the National Apprenticeship system.” The agency indicates the guidance will provide apprenticeship program sponsors with clearer direction regarding how to design programs that meet current workforce needs while maintaining compliance with Registered Apprenticeship system rules. DOL also announced the launch of a new online portal containing data that can help employers implement apprenticeship programs. The agency’s press release contains extensive links with detailed information about the new guidance.
