House subcommittee holds hearing regarding career and technical education; NRCA sends letter of support
On Nov. 19, the House Education & the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education held a hearing, “From Classroom to Career: Strengthening Skills Pathways Through CTE.” Given the importance of continued congressional support for CTE programs to its members, NRCA sent a letter to the subcommittee for inclusion in the hearing record. The letter outlines NRCA’s position strongly supporting legislative efforts to strengthen CTE, mentions NRCA's past endorsement of the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (enacted in 2018), and urges increased Perkins CTE grant funding to keep up with growing demand and help roofing industry employers meet workforce needs.
Expanding legislative support and increasing CTE funding from Congress remain critical advocacy priorities. NRCA will continue working with lawmakers on a bipartisan basis regarding how best to strengthen CTE to meet the demands of the roofing industry and broader U.S. economy.
House subcommittee holds hearing regarding E-Verify; NRCA sends comment letter
On Nov. 19, the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Committee on Education and Workforce held a hearing, “E-Verify: Ensuring Lawful Employment in America,” to accept input from stakeholders regarding current operation and potential expansion of the federal government’s electronic verification program that many employers use to confirm work authorization for new hires. The hearing was held as House Republicans are considering advancing legislation that would phase in mandatory E-Verify for all employers during a two- or three-year period. Witnesses appearing before the subcommittee provided testimony relating to how E-Verify is being used by employers in the current marketplace.
NRCA sent a letter to the subcommittee stating any legislation to expand the use of E-Verify must contain “safeguards to eliminate or minimize bureaucratic mistakes that can be problematic for both employers and employees, especially for small businesses.” The letter also outlined NRCA’s support for bipartisan legislation to expand E-Verify while also addressing other aspects of the U.S. immigration system, including the Dignity Act (H.R. 4393), which would strengthen border security and allow adjustment of legal status for qualifying undocumented immigrants, among other reforms. The letter also noted NRCA’s support for the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494) to address growing workforce shortages by establishing a new visa program while safeguarding employment for American workers.
NRCA will continue working with lawmakers to ensure any legislation to expand E-Verify is not burdensome on employers and contains balanced solutions to address workforce shortages and boost economic growth.
Legislators turn attention to rising health care costs
Following the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Republican lawmakers have quickly turned their sights to exploding health insurance premiums, including how to address the Democrats’ No. 1 issue—extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits that expire Dec. 31. Although it remains unclear which specific policy solutions will receive Republican backing, House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) indicated he is working with the three committees with health policy jurisdiction (Energy & Commerce, Ways & Means, Education & the Workforce) “on legislation that would actually lower costs for families and give families options so they’re not trapped in the unaffordable care act policies.”
Options currently being considered include increasing transparency around pharmacy benefit managers; establishing a federally funded health savings account for various Affordable Care Act plans with high deductibles; and easing regulations regarding association health plans to allow small businesses into a single risk pool through associations, thus creating a better risk profile for insurance and creating additional leverage when negotiating coverage with insurance companies.
NRCA previously endorsed association health plan legislation because the concept offers the potential for associations to provide small-business members with health plans similar to those provided by large employers. A large group plan designation has numerous advantages and often can lead to better rates from health care providers and insurers.
Rising health care costs is a renewed area of focus for NRCA as members throughout the U.S. are indicating the costs of reasonable employer-sponsored plans are rising at unsustainable levels and crippling company operating expenses.
President Trump issues order rolling back some tariffs
On Nov. 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order that rolls back tariffs on more than 200 food products—including coffee, beef, bananas and orange juice—in the face of growing concern among U.S. consumers about the high cost of groceries. The modifications of reciprocal tariffs originally announced in April were made effective retroactive to Nov. 13. The action marks a significant change in course for Trump, who has long argued tariffs are necessary to bring more manufacturing to the U.S. and do not result in inflation.
The move to reverse course on some tariffs appears to be a reaction to the recent success of Democrats in statewide elections in New Jersey, Virginia and other states who campaigned on the theme of “affordability” in the cost of living. It also raises the question of whether other tariff reductions may be considered in the near term. Additionally, the Trump administration also continues negotiating trade agreements with numerous companies to open new markets for U.S. exports. View more information about the latest tariff and trade agreement developments in a White House Fact Sheet.
