Urge Congress to increase funding for Perkins CTE State Grants!
As lawmakers consider funding levels for fiscal year 2027, please take a moment to contact your members of Congress using NRCA’s grassroots website and urge support for increased funding for Perkins State Grants that fund career and technical education programs at the state and local levels. Chronic workforce shortages are the top challenge facing roofing industry employers throughout the U.S. as demographic trends make it increasingly difficult to find qualified candidates for well-paying, family-sustaining jobs. Increased funding for Perkins State Grants is essential to providing strategies and tools to help employers address future workforce development needs.
Bipartisan housing package finally clears Congress, president delays signing
On June 23, the House overwhelmingly gave final approval to 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 358-32—following a near unanimous vote in the Senate—and was sent to President Trump to be signed into law. However, the president unexpectedly announced his intention to delay signing the bill until Congress approves a voting restrictions bill (the SAVE America Act) that is strongly opposed by all Democrats and previously failed to pass the Senate. The president has 10 days to sign or veto the housing bill, and if no action is taken, it will automatically become law without his signature. If he vetoes the bill, Congress could possibly override the veto with a two-thirds vote of the House and Senate.
Major tenets of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act include the requirement of the Department of Housing and Urban Development to issue best practices regarding zoning and design for cities and states; expansion of affordable housing programs currently available to Americans; easing of regulations for development and construction; language to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes; and provisions to relax some regulations on community banks. In total, there were nearly 60 individual provisions making up the 381-page bill. View a full title-by-title summary from Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.).
House committee holds hearing regarding modernizing apprenticeship programs
On June 24, the House Education & Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing, “Workforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy.” The hearing included witnesses representing higher education, as well as companies and nonprofits that specialize in workforce development and currently use a significant number of registered apprentices in their respective fields.
Much of the hearing discussion centered on ways to further modernize registered apprenticeship programs to facilitate the Trump administration’s goal of having 1 million active registered apprenticeships in the U.S. by 2030. As such, there was clear bipartisan support for registered apprenticeship programs from Republicans and Democrats on the subcommittee. In his opening statement, subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-Utah) said:
“For too long, the conversation around career success has focused on a single pathway to work through a traditional four-year college education. What was not factored was that our country’s workforce is far too varied, and our economy far too dynamic, for a one-size-fits-all approach. Apprenticeships and work-based learning offer a different model. One that allows individuals to earn while they learn, gain hands-on experience, and build skills that employers actually need.”
The hearing comes as lawmakers in Congress are exploring legislative avenues toward incentivizing registered apprenticeships to address workforce needs. Most recently, NRCA endorsed the Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support Act, which is bicameral legislation that would create a refundable payroll tax credit for employers who hire and train workers through registered apprenticeship programs certified by the Department of Labor.
Department of Labor focuses on combating unemployment insurance fraud
Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling announced the issuance of letters he has sent to all governors of states and U.S. territories outlining the department’s intent to crack down on alleged fraud, waste and abuse within the federal unemployment insurance program. The campaign, conducted jointly with the agency’s Office of Inspector General, will use all enforcement tools available to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the unemployment insurance system. The announcement notes California, Illinois and New York are the “most glaring examples” of states the DOL will be targeting to combat alleged fraud and mismanagement in unemployment insurance. The agency indicates it is “committed to rooting out fraud, enforcing UI eligibility requirements, and protecting American taxpayers.” Additional guidance is expected to be issued by the DOL in the near future.
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.
