The bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is reintroduced
The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 3734) has been introduced in the 118th Congress by Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) and Henry Cuellar (D-Texas). This bipartisan legislation is designed to address workforce needs by establishing a new visa category for occupations that perform year-round work in roofing and similar industries. The bill establishes a two-track system that matches willing employers with temporary foreign workers to address chronic workforce shortages that are becoming more acute every year.
NRCA strongly supports the legislation, which has been a focus of Roofing Day in D.C. in recent years. Although the outlook for immigration reform in Congress remains highly uncertain, the formal introduction of the bill on a bipartisan basis is a critical step to advancing the bill in the House. The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition, of which NRCA is a founding member, sent a letter commending Smucker and Cuellar for their leadership regarding this legislation.
ICYMI: Congress avoids default, passes legislation to raise debt ceiling with reforms
The Fiscal Responsibility Act, a final agreement to raise the U.S.’ debt ceiling through Jan. 1, 2025, along with reforms to curb spending and boost the economy, was signed into law June 3 after passing Congress with bipartisan support.
The legislation cuts nondefense discretionary spending for the 2024 fiscal year. It would limit all discretionary spending to 1% growth in 2025; add work requirements for certain welfare programs; rescind some unobligated COVID-19 funds and IRS enforcement monies; and establish PAYGO (pay-as-you-go) requirements on executive branch spending, which should result in reforms that help curtail burdensome regulations in the future.
The bill also includes reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act, including project threshold, interagency coordination and review deadlines to prevent project delays; limits on what qualifies as a major federal action; and limits to prevent agencies from missing statutory deadlines. This section provides the first significant reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act since 1982.
Reps. Salazar and Escobar introduce the Dignity Act to reform U.S. immigration system
Reps. Maria Salazar (R-Fla.) and Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) introduced the Dignity Act of 2023 (H.R. 3599), bipartisan legislation proposing numerous reforms to the U.S. immigration system along with $25 billion for enhanced border security. A key component of the bill is a path to lawful permanent residence status for qualifying undocumented immigrants, including individuals with Temporary Protected Status and those eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program—both of which are policy goals supported by NRCA. The bill also would revamp the current asylum processing system and phase in mandatory use of the E-Verify program for employers. Salazar and Escobar believe the plan is a “reasonable and compassionate” proposal that will curtail illegal immigration, provide a practical solution for qualified undocumented individuals, address U.S. workforce needs and grow the economy. The Essential Worker Immigration Coalition issued a statement commending Salazar and Escobar for their efforts to put forward a detailed solution to reform the U.S. immigration system that could help jump-start further bipartisan consideration by Congress.
