NRCA urges Department of Homeland Security to improve H-2B visa program
NRCA is urging the Department of Homeland Security to make improvements to the H-2B seasonal visa program to make it more accessible to employees. For many years, NRCA members have used the H-2B program to supplement their workforce needs during peak season. In a June 9 letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, NRCA and other members of the H-2B Workforce Coalition urged the agency to work with Congress to permanently institute a “returning worker exemption” within the program to provide employers with the maximum number of seasonal workers. In addition, the group urged DHS to issue a permanent rulemaking for implementation of supplemental visas allocated annually rather than the current cumbersome, time-consuming practice of conducting a separate rulemaking each year. These actions would provide greater certainty for businesses that use the H-2B program to address their seasonal workforce needs. NRCA will continue working with Congress and the administration to strengthen the H-2B program as much as possible.
Gold Coast Cocktails reception during NRCA’s Midyear Meetings benefiting ROOFPAC
Planning to attend NRCA’s Midyear Meetings in Chicago?
Catch up with your colleagues over drinks at ROOFPAC’s Gold Coast Cocktail reception Wednesday, July 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. at LuxBar, just four blocks from the Four Seasons Hotel. We ask attendees to contribute $150 per person or $200 per couple. Members of NRCA’s Political Insiders Council and Capitol Hill Club can attend complimentary as a benefit of their membership. We also would like to thank our sponsors, CNA Capitol Club and Johns Manville, for making this event possible. Questions? Contact NRCA Director of Political Affairs Teri Dorn at tdorn@ncra.net or (202) 510-0920.
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.
Primary and special election results give further insight into November
In South Carolina, two sitting Republican House members, Reps. Tom Rice and Nancy Mace, faced Trump-backed primary challengers. NRCA has long supported Rice as a champion for small-business issues on the Ways and Means Committee and for his leadership on the E-QUIP Act, a key Roofing Day priority in 2021. Rice was one of 10 Republicans to vote to impeach the former president and faced off against state Rep. Russell Fry. Mace’s opponent, Katie Arrington, was also endorsed by President Trump, though her views have fluctuated between support and opposition regarding the former president. This race also seems to be a proxy battle between Trump and Ambassador Nikki Haley. The difference was split with Fry and Mace winning their respective races.
In addition to multiple state primaries, there was a special election in south Texas June 14 where Republican Mayra Flores flipped a once solidly Democrat seat by growing the share of the Latino vote and beating Daniel Sanchez. This seat most recently was held by Rep. Filemon Vela, who resigned from Congress earlier this year. In 2020, President Biden won this district by four points. Flores must run again in November with different district lines and incumbent Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez moving to run there instead of his old district.
Nevada also picked its statewide candidates to run against Democratic incumbents. These are rated as toss up races in numerous election forecasts with Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo facing off against Gov. Steve Sisolak and former state Attorney General Adam Laxalt facing off against Sen. Catherine Cortez Mastro.
In Maine, Democratic Rep. Jared Golden is headed for a rematch against former Republican Rep. Bruce Poliquin, which will be one of the most competitive races in the U.S. in the general election.
Upcoming Primary Elections
June 21: Virginia, Washington D.C., and runoffs in Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia
June 28: Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oklahoma, Utah and runoffs in Mississippi and South Carolina
July 19: Maryland
July 26: Runoff in North Carolina
August 2: Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington
August 4: Tennessee (notable Thursday primary)
Do you have political insight we have missed or thoughts regarding an upcoming race? We would love to hear from you. Please email dmazol@nrca.net to share your thoughts.
