U.S. Capitol Complex lifts mask mandates
Following updated federal guidance, the U.S. Capitol Complex no longer requires masks for members, staff and visitors. This announcement comes as cases of COVID-19 in the region continue to plummet and NRCA prepares for a successful in-person Roofing Day in D.C. 2022. To view NRCA’s 2022 advocacy issues, please visit www.nrca.net/roofingday and register before March 23.
House and Senate return for long legislative session upended by the crisis in Ukraine
The House and Senate have returned from their district work periods to a three-week legislative session when both chambers will be in Washington, D.C. With primary elections starting in March, there is little time to accomplish a long list of urgent items. These priorities mostly have been upended by the current crisis in Ukraine. March began with President Biden’s State of the Union address, which had to be rewritten based on the world outlook changing dramatically one week ago. President Biden and Congress face the difficult task of preparing potential further actions, managing partnerships and supporting U.S. allies while reassuring the Ukrainian people and NATO allies regarding the U.S.’ commitments.
Other urgent priorities for Congress include some version of a Build Back Better Act, legislation that seeks to boost the U.S.’ competitiveness—mainly against China—and funding for the federal government that is set to expire March 11. Although Congress has yet to pass a budget for the current fiscal year, the president is set to release his budget proposal this spring for the next fiscal year, which begins in September.
Before Easter, NRCA anticipates much action in Congress regarding Ukraine, whether symbolic or tangible, and some type of funding bill. There is common ground regarding the Senate- and House-passed versions of competition bills, but though the foundation is there, it will take time to work out the kinks.
Biden administration releases updated plan to address the U.S. supply chain crisis
On Feb. 24, the Biden administration released an updated plan to address the U.S. supply chain crisis. The plan, which is the result of an Executive Order signed by the president in February 2021, consists of multiyear strategies to identify and address the most crucial supply chain challenges and disruptions across the U.S. economy. Many of the initiatives described involve implementation across seven federal agencies of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law—approved by Congress in November 2021—to strengthen the resiliency of supply chains. Elements most relevant to the roofing industry are new initiatives in the energy, transportation and manufacturing sectors, including investments to provide for greater production of raw materials domestically to reduce reliance on imports, which often are subject to greater disruption. NRCA is reviewing the plan and will continue working with the administration and Congress to address supply chain issues in the short and long terms.
Pray for Ukraine
This week’s events have hit hard. Congresswoman Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), who was born in Ukraine and is an avid supporter of NRCA advocacy issues, reminded her colleagues of an old Serbian saying worth sharing: “In war, the politicians give ammunition, the rich give the food and the poor give their children … When the war is over, the politicians get back the leftover ammunition, the rich grow more food and the poor search for the graves of their children.” Please take a moment to hug those you love, say a quiet prayer and appreciate the freedom we enjoy in America.
