Roofing Day in D.C. 2022 returns in-person April 5-6
Registration for one of the largest advocacy events in Washington, D.C., now is open at www.nrca.net/roofingday. Join fellow roofing professionals on Capitol Hill as we advocate for our industry! Congress must see and hear from you to understand the critical issues we face. Together, we can make a difference.
Although not all Congress members will be available to meet in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person meetings will be scheduled for many participants.
To foster an educational and collaborative experience, NRCA has created a half-day event where expert speakers and panelists will convene to inform and inspire attendees. In addition, sightseeing tours will be available for those interested. As always, you will have ample opportunity to network and connect with fellow professionals, and we encourage you to bring key employees to the event.
View a tentative itinerary to learn more about Roofing Day in D.C. 2022.
Disapproval of COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard passes Senate
A joint resolution under the Congressional Review Act, a mechanism usually saved for a time of presidential transition, passed the Senate on Wednesday with bipartisan support, putting members of Congress on the record regarding President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine and testing Emergency Temporary Standard for employers with 100 or more employees. Under the Congressional Review Act, S.J. Res 29 was considered under an expedited process that allows these types of resolutions to come to the floor for a vote 20 days after it received the required number of signatures to proceed. The resolution passed the Senate with bipartisan support by a vote of 52-48, with all Republicans supporting the resolution and two Democrats, Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.),; howeever, the House currently does not have enough signatures to discharge the resolution. Should the resolution pass both chambers of Congress, President Biden surely would veto it.
The Congressional Review Act was passed as part of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Act of 1996 as a tool Congress can use to overturn rules issued by federal agencies. Since its passage, the act has been used to overturn 20 rules: one in the 107th Congress (2001-02), 16 in the 115th Congress (2017-18) and three in the 117th Congress (2021-22). Learn more about the Congressional Review Act.
House passes legislation to increase debt limit before Dec. 15 deadline
On Dec. 8, the House passed legislation that includes a provision to consider a debt limit increase under expedited procedures. A good number of Republican members of the Senate have indicated support for this measure, and we anticipate it will be signed into law soon, potentially even by the time you read this.
Rest in peace to Sen. Bob Dole
On Dec. 5, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation announced the death of Sen. Robert Joseph Dole. Representing Kansas in the House for eight years and the Senate for more than 27 years, Dole was known as a strong partisan debater and tough negotiator who also excelled at forging bipartisan alliances to enact legislation. He was a collegiate athlete, Army hero and public servant for 79 years. In 2018, Dole became only the eighth senator to receive the Congressional Gold Medal.
It would be difficult to find someone who did not love and respect Dole. His loyalty, honor and wit will ensure his legacy lives on, not just in the Senate but also in U.S. history. Following are a couple of memorable quotes from Dole to take us through the weekend:
- "If there's anyone who has mistakenly attached themselves to our party in the belief that we are not open to citizens of every race and religion ... the exits which are clearly marked are for you to walk out of as I stand this ground without compromise."
- After his campaign failed miserably in 1980, the next day, he “slept like a baby,” Dole said. “Every two hours I woke up and cried.”
