Senate subcommittee holds hearing regarding workforce development; NRCA sends letter of support
On Dec. 9, the Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Subcommittee on Education and the American Family held a hearing, “Building Pathways: Advancing Workforce Development in the 21st Century.” Given the need to reform and expand workforce development programs to help roofing industry employers address workforce shortages, NRCA sent a letter to the subcommittee for inclusion in the hearing record. The letter outlines NRCA’s position strongly supporting legislative efforts to reauthorize and reform the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act; urges Congress to increase Perkins career and technical education grant funding for fiscal year 2026; and mentions NRCA’s successful partnership with SkillsUSA, whose executive director was one of the primary witnesses at the hearing. NRCA’s collaboration with this workforce development organization includes developing curriculum, participating in national and state competitions, and recruiting students into the roofing industry.
Promoting more efficient and effective investment in workforce skills and training programs remains a critical advocacy priority. NRCA will continue working with lawmakers on a bipartisan basis regarding how best to meet the workforce demands of the roofing industry and broader U.S. economy.
Congress remains at an impasse regarding extending ACA tax subsidies, other health care cost reforms
Today, the Senate is scheduled to hold votes on dueling plans aimed at addressing exploding health insurance premiums, which is an issue that helped drive the longest government shutdown in U.S. history this past fall. The Republican proposal, sponsored by Sens. Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), would offer people in certain high-deductible Affordable Care Act plans up to $1,500 for each of the next two years in health savings accounts and fund cost-sharing reduction payments. However, neither that measure nor the Senate Democrats’ proposed three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits—set to expire Dec. 31—are expected to get the 60 votes needed for passage.
Earlier this week, several members of the House also introduced a proposal that would extend the enhanced ACA subsidies for two years but with added income limits. Introduced by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), the legislation would give ACA enrollees an option to deposit half of their advanced credit in a health savings account with the other half still going to insurers. This proposal also faces an uphill battle as House Republican leaders generally oppose extending the enhanced subsidies because of the cost incurred by the federal government.
Legislators in both chambers are under intense pressure to strike a deal on the expiring ACA credits before adjourning for the holidays Dec. 19. As of now, 20 million Americans covered by ACA insurance policies will see their premiums more than double on average if no action is taken.
Rising health care costs is a renewed area of focus for NRCA as members throughout the U.S. are indicating the cost of reasonable employer-sponsored plans are rising at unsustainable levels and crippling company operating expenses.
USCIS increases screening, vetting of immigrants working in the U.S.
On Dec. 4, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its policy manual to reduce the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (also known as work permits) for several categories of non-citizens, bringing the validity periods down from five years to 18 months. The agency says this change will allow for more frequent vetting to deter fraud and identify individuals who may pose security risks. This new policy applies to refugees, asylees, individuals granted withholding of removal, applicants for asylum or adjustment of status, and those seeking suspension or cancellation of removal. The new limits are effective for applications pending or filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025.
The update also incorporates changes to validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents made by recent legislation to ensure proper vetting and screening of non-citizens, including individuals granted or applying for Temporary Protected Status and certain parolees. Such individuals now will receive work permits valid for no more than one year or the length of their authorized parole or TPS, whichever is shorter. View more information.
ROOFPAC needs your help to finish 2025 strong!
This giving season, we’re grateful for all members who support ROOFPAC—the only political action committee dedicated to the roofing industry—in personal and corporate donations to help support pro-business elected officials. Your contributions amplify NRCA’s work advancing pro-growth policies to protect and support your business.
With just a few weeks left in the year, we need your help to finish 2025 strong. Please donate by Dec. 31 to help us meet our end-of-year goal and receive ROOFPAC swag and a holiday ornament. NRCA members can contribute any amount up to $5,000 annually online.
You won’t want to miss our fundraising events at the International Roofing Expo® in Las Vegas; the live auction and reception will be held Jan. 19, 2026, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Zouk Nightclub, and the popular silent auction with amazing prizes will be displayed in NRCA’s booth Jan. 21, 2026, through 4 p.m. CST. You also can show your/your company’s support by donating an item to be auctioned off during these events. All proceeds support ROOFPAC’s mission of electing pro-business members of the U.S. House and Senate—winning for you!
