This Week in D.C.

In an interview with CNN Dec. 9, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona announced she will leave the Democratic party and register officially as an Independent. Sinema, a champion of small business and ROOFPAC-supported member of Congress, avoids a messy primary against potential candidate Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.). Sinema will keep her Senate committees, and it appears little will change in the makeup of the Senate itself. Looking to 2024, it will be interesting to see whether this action splits the liberal vote and paves the way for a Republican to win back the seat or whether the Democratic party coalesces around Sinema as the best candidate of the left to win in the general. 

The Department of Energy recently announced schools can now apply for the first round of the Renew America’s Schools grants, with up to $80 million of the $500 million program available. These funds were provided for in the bipartisan infrastructure law and can be used to make energy-efficiency upgrades to schools, including improvements to the building envelope. 

NRCA submitted comments to the National Labor Relations Board opposing its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which would expand the standard for determining joint-employer status under the National Labor Relations Act. The proposed rulemaking would expand joint-employer status to include any employer who directly or indirectly “possesses the authority to control or exercise the power of control, one or more of the employees’ essential terms and conditions of employment.” NRCA is concerned this expansion from only direct authority would create great uncertainty for employers and be especially difficult for multiemployer construction worksites, which often involve many different entities.  

ROOFPAC needs your help to finish 2022 strong! 

The midterm elections brought change to the political landscape and even greater opportunity to achieve success for your business. Please consider a personal donation to ROOFPAC, NRCA’s political action committee and the voice of the roofing industry on Capitol Hill. A strong ROOFPAC is critical to NRCA’s work to advance pro-growth economic policies, career and technical education, reasonable immigration reform and more! NRCA members can contribute any amount up to $5,000 annually online or by mail, email or fax. 

Join a ROOFPAC donor club and receive a unique 2022 holiday ornament and other exclusive benefits and recognition. Levels include:

Questions? Contact Teri Dorn, NRCA’s director of political affairs, at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.

Each year, roofing professionals meet with members of Congress on Capitol Hill to discuss the critical issues facing their companies and the roofing industry. And you know what? We’re making a big difference. So far, we have increased funding for career and technical education, advanced legislation that addresses workforce development needs and secured a strong buildings component in bipartisan infrastructure legislation.

But our work is not done yet. We are just getting started. Join us for Roofing Day in D.C. April 18-19, 2023, and help us make it the biggest and best roofing industry advocacy event ever! After you sign up, click on the link to invite a friend from your confirmation email and you could win a $500 Amazon gift card!

Registration is only $95 for company representatives and $35 for field workers, students and spouses. Please visit www.nrca.net/roofingday to view testimonials from last year’s event and learn more. Sign up today!

*ROOFPAC is the federally registered political action committee of NRCA, and contributions will be used for political purposes. Contributions to ROOFPAC are not tax-deductible, and the name, address, occupation and employer’s name of individuals whose contributions exceed $200 during a calendar year will be reported to the Federal Election Commission.  Contributions are voluntary and you have the right to refuse to contribute without any reprisal.