What is next for health care premium costs following House passage to extend ACA tax credits?
On Jan. 8, the House passed H.R. 1834, the Breaking the Gridlock Act, by a vote of 230-186. Included in this legislation was a three-year extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits that had expired at the end of 2025, causing millions of ACA enrollees to now face a sharp rise in health insurance premiums. A group of 17 Republicans broke from their party leadership and sided with all 213 Democrats in approving the legislation. Although the bill is effectively dead on arrival in its current form in the Senate, a bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), have been discussing a compromise proposal that would extend the ACA tax credits for two years with some changes, such as an income cap and minimum premium payment.
As of now, there is no consensus among rank-and-file senators regarding the best path forward. Further complicating the effort to reach a compromise that can be enacted into law is a growing debate about potential abortion restrictions when considering extension of the tax credits.
Rising health care costs is a renewed area of focus for NRCA as members continue indicating the cost of employer-sponsored health plans is rising to unsustainable levels and crippling company operating expenses. Despite this current uncertainty, NRCA will continue working to support sensible reforms to help small-business members obtain access to more affordable options.
Congress continues its work on appropriations; fiscal year 2026 funding level for CTE yet to be determined
The House and Senate have begun making steady progress on packages of legislation to fund the government through Sept. 30. This week, the house is expected to pass legislation funding the financial services sector (for example, the Treasury Department), the federal judiciary and National Security/Department of State/international assistance programs. This is in the wake of the House passing funding measures for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies, Energy and Water, and the Interior Department, which the Senate is expected to clear later this week.
A few significant funding hurdles remain to avoid lapses in funding by the Jan. 30 deadline, including funding for the Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education. This funding package includes Perkins career and technical education state grant funding, which is critical to meeting the roofing industry’s workforce needs. During the past six years, NRCA and allied organizations have been successful in getting Congress to appropriate more than $300 million in additional Perkins funding, bringing the annual total to more than $1.4 billion. This increase is a good start, but to continue developing CTE programs to meet current and future workforce needs, Congress should place a higher priority on funding for Perkins state grants, which are critical to maximizing CTE opportunities for NRCA employer members.
Department of Labor issues opinion letters regarding workplace issues
The U.S. Department of Labor issued six opinion letters designed to promote clarity, consistency and transparency in the application of federal labor standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Family and Medical Leave Act. The opinion letters provide official written interpretations from the Department’s Wage and Hour Division, which are aimed at addressing real-world questions to better explain how laws apply to specific factual circumstances presented by individuals or organizations. These letters are part of the department’s opinion letter program, announced in June 2025, for the purpose of providing greater levels of compliance assistance to employers, workers and other stakeholders.
Registration for Roofing Day in D.C. 2026 is open!
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.
To view our draft itinerary, book your hotel and register, please visit www.nrca.net/roofingday.
Last chance to register for ROOFPAC events at NRCA’s annual convention and the 2026 IRE!
You won’t want to miss the chance to have fun while supporting ROOFPAC—the only political action committee dedicated to the roofing industry—at our fundraising events during NRCA’s 139th Annual Convention and the International Roofing Expo® in Las Vegas! NRCA and National Women in Roofing present “An Evening in Las Vegas” live auction and reception Jan. 19 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Zouk Nightclub.
Also, NRCA’s silent auction is now open and will close Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. PST with many auction items displayed in NRCA’s booth, No. 2345. Items include high-end electronics, trips and other fun items. Bids will be placed electronically by visiting roofpac26.givesmart.com; attendance at the convention and trade show is not required. NRCA is grateful for many generous sponsors who support these events so all proceeds benefit ROOFPAC. Thank you to all members who support ROOFPAC—your contributions help amplify NRCA’s work advancing pro-growth policies to protect and strengthen your business, which is crucial during this election year.
