House committee boosts funding for Perkins CTE State Grants
On June 9, the full House Appropriations Committee approved the Fiscal Year 2027 Departments of Labor, Health & Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act. Included in the bill is $1,449,848,000 for Career and Technical Education State Grants, which, if enacted into law, would be an increase of $10 million from the previous year’s enacted level.
In the accompanying bill report, the committee reiterated its continued support for CTE despite the current environment where a major focus is on rolling back federal spending and shrinking the overall size of the federal government. Specific language was included stating:
“The Committee supports skilled workforce education in schools and recognizes what it brings to America’s skilled professions through educating a new generation of pride, progress, and professionals.”
CTE funding has been a main advocacy issue for NRCA during the past few years because chronic workforce shortages are the top challenge facing U.S. roofing industry employers. As such, the suggested increase in funding is welcome news, particularly given President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request included flat funding for the state grants.
The next step in the legislative process is for the fiscal year 2027 spending measure to be considered on the House floor, which is slated to occur during the coming weeks. NRCA and its coalition partners will continue to build support in both chambers for increased funding for Perkins CTE State Grants that are critical to help build the necessary pipeline of skilled workers needed for roofing and other trades.
House approves Faster Labor Contracts Act
The House approved the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) by Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) on a bipartisan vote of 230-193, with 20 Republicans joining all Democrats present in supporting the measure. The legislation would modify federal labor law to require employers and unions to finalize initial collective bargaining contracts within 120 days after authorization or face mandatory arbitration, under which government-appointed arbitrators would set the terms and conditions for the first contract. This is a significant departure from current law, which does not compel employers to accept terms of a contract they oppose. The House vote came after a Discharge Petition (H. Res. 1140) in support of the bill garnered 218 signatures, the threshold needed to force a floor vote on the underlying bill over the objection of House leaders. NRCA and allied associations sent a letter to all House members opposing the bill because of concerns it would effectively discard the “voluntary agreement” principle that has been the cornerstone of federal labor law, greatly expand federal involvement in private businesses and ultimately harm employers and economic growth.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and several co-sponsors have introduced similar legislation (S. 844) that has significant bipartisan support. Whether the bill can obtain the 60 votes needed for approval in the upper chamber is highly uncertain, but supporters may try to add it as an amendment to “must-pass” legislation later in the year. NRCA will continue advocating against this misguided legislation during consideration by the Senate.
Bipartisan housing package amended again, clears Senate for second time
On June 18, the Senate overwhelmingly approved an amended housing package (21st Century ROAD to Housing Act), which contains a wide range of bipartisan proposals to address a shortage of housing and reduce prices. The measure passed the chamber by a vote of 84-8 and now will be sent back to the House for expected final approval. These actions are part of lawmakers’ efforts to address growing concerns about day-to-day affordability leading up to the midterm elections this fall.
Major tenets of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act have always included the requirement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to issue best practices regarding zoning and design for cities and states; the expansion of affordable housing programs currently available to Americans; the easing of regulations for development and construction; and language to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. The legislation also includes provisions to relax some regulations on community banks, which was originally backed by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.).
The amended Senate bill made changes to a previously passed House version to reflect concerns expressed by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and increase the likelihood of it making it to the president’s desk for his signature into law. These concerns primarily centered on narrowing the sunset of a reauthorization of the disaster recovery block grant program from seven years to three years. Senate leaders also agreed to extend the temporary eligibility exception for a disaster declaration from one to three years, increase the rental assistance demonstration cap by 100,000 units and place additional restrictions on conversions.
Department of Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network advisory
On June 5, the Department of Treasury and Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued a Joint Advisory on Non-Work Authorized Populations and Their Employers and Risks to the Integrity of the U.S. Financial System. The purpose of the Joint Advisory is to advise banks and other financial institutions to be vigilant against fraud and other suspicious or potentially criminal activities involving the unlawful employment of illegal aliens and the associated risks to the integrity of the U.S. financial system. It was issued in conjunction with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and National Credit Union Administration in coordination with the IRS.
The Joint Advisory identifies identity theft and payroll fraud as central features of schemes across the agriculture, construction, domestic service, hospitality and staffing industries and outlines how such schemes often use shell companies to launder funds and distribute off-the-books payments to unauthorized workers without withholding required payroll taxes. It encourages banks to treat Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers presented in lieu of Social Security numbers as a potential risk factor warranting enhanced due diligence and outlines red-flag indicators to help financial institutions detect and report suspicious activity. The Joint Advisory was issued under the authority of President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, issued Jan. 20, 2025, as well as Executive Order 14406, Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System, issued May 19, 2026.
Planning to attend NRCA’s Midyear Committee Meetings in Chicago?
Join your roofing friends and colleagues for a lively cocktail reception benefiting ROOFPAC, the roofing industry’s voice in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the Gallery Terrace at the Gwen Hotel in Chicago. This networking event is one you will not want to miss while supporting the future of the industry ($175 per person/$275 per couple). Members of NRCA’s Political Insiders Council and Capitol Hill Club, along with their guests, receive complimentary admission. Special thanks to our sponsor Johns Manville for making this event possible.
To register, please visit www.nrca.net/roofpac-midyear-event. For any questions or to secure the couples rate, contact Teri Dorn at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.
