Senate committee approves legislation to help boost interest in trades
On July 30, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions voted to advance S. 2511, the College Transparency Act. This legislation, which was introduced by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and currently has 25 bipartisan co-sponsors, would establish a system designed to improve access to postsecondary educational and workforce data. The goal of S. 2511 is to enable students and parents to better compare the costs and economic returns of pursuing careers in roofing and other trades with the cost of pursuing college degrees.
Beginning with Roofing Day in D.C. 2019, NRCA has supported the College Transparency Act and advocated for its passage. Chronic workforce shortages are the top challenge facing roofing industry employers as demographic trends and economic conditions make it more difficult to find skilled employees to fill well-paying, family-sustaining jobs. Measures such as S. 2511 are designed to shine additional light on the many benefits of working in trades such as the roofing industry. Expanding the roofing employee pipeline is critical—especially during a time of such highly competitive labor markets.
S. 2511 now will advance to the full Senate for additional consideration. Additionally, similar legislation (H.R. 4806) has been introduced in the House by Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), which also has bipartisan support. NRCA will continue working with policymakers to pass this measure before the 119th Congress adjourns at the end of the year.
Senate advances bill to avoid government shutdown
On Aug. 3, the Senate overwhelmingly passed a procedural motion to clear the way for a stopgap funding resolution that would keep the government open through Dec. 11, well past the midterm elections in early November. The motion, which passed by a vote of 89-4, sets up further consideration of a continuing resolution expected to pass the upper chamber later this week. It will then be sent back to the House because the Senate’s measure contains several provisions not included in the original House-passed resolution (H.R. 9770). The House is expected to take up the Senate version when that chamber reconvenes Aug. 31.
Government funding currently is set to run out after Sept. 30 given the failure of Congress to approve appropriations bills that fund federal agencies for fiscal year 2027, which begins Oct. 1. The Senate measure contains several funding adjustments or anomalies that would provide temporary funding boosts and new authorities for the duration of the continuing resolution. It also would temporarily extend several programs set to expire after Sept. 30, including federal surface transportation funding, veteran’s benefits and flood insurance. Finally, the Senate continuing resolution would prohibit the Trump administration from implementing a proposed rule to give federal agencies more discretion to cancel active grants and other financial assistance, a proposal that has faced opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
In the Senate, where none of the 12 spending bills have been passed, Democrats’ votes will be needed to pass ordinary government funding bills. Republicans want to increase overall military spending next fiscal year by 50% to $1.5 trillion while cutting funding for health care and other social services championed by Democrats. A final deal regarding the appropriations bills is not expected before the outcome of the November midterm elections is known. Therefore, there is a need for a continuing resolution to avoid any lapse of funding that would be politically damaging during election time.
NRCA will continue to closely monitor the progress of the fiscal year 2027 appropriations process because of our steadfast support for funding of Perkins Career and Technical Education State Grants. This federal funding is critical to providing students with the resources and opportunities needed to ensure our industry has the skilled workforce necessary for the future.
Senate committee approves labor secretary nomination
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions voted to approve President Trump’s nomination of Keith Sonderling to serve as the Senate-confirmed Secretary of Labor on a 12-11 party line vote, with all Republicans supporting and Democrats in opposition. The nomination now moves to the Senate floor for a final vote, which could come later this week, and Sonderling is expected to be approved largely along party lines. NRCA supports this nomination and joined with other business stakeholders in sending a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) urging prompt Senate approval. The letter noted Sonderling, who was previously deputy secretary and has been serving as acting secretary of labor since the resignation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer in April, “has a proven track record of success managing the Department of Labor … (and) if confirmed, he will continue to steer the Department toward policies that protect workers, provide clear guidance to the employer community, and reduce regulatory burden on the economy.”
National Labor Relations Board nominations advance in Senate
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions has approved President Trump’s nomination of James Macy, a Republican, to serve on the National Labor Relations Board and David Prouty, a Democrat, to serve a second term on the board. Confirmation of these nominations by the full Senate will allow the board to keep its existing quorum through the remainder of the Trump administration. Additionally, the confirmation of Macy would give the board a three-member Republican majority, allowing for the potential of significant policy shifts away from Biden-era decisions. These nominations are being packaged with numerous other federal agency nominations currently before the Senate and are expected to be approved as early as this week.
