Congressional action on budget reconciliation and U.S. Innovation and Competition Act
During the holiday recess, Congress addressed two key congressional priorities—budget reconciliation and the China competition bill, also known as the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act.
On June 30, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell announced he would not support bringing a bicameral U.S. Innovation and Competition Act conference compromise to the floor until he knew for certain the Democrats’ budget reconciliation was dead. That does not mean this bill was even ready for the floor; in fact, there still are about 1,000 pages left to negotiate. Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced he will submit formal text to the Senate parliamentarian reflecting an agreement among all Democrats—including Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.)—to allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug costs. This provision is popular, and we believe many Republican senators easily could get on board. The next step will be to see whether this text meets the arcane Senate rules regarding budget reconciliation, requiring a simple majority to pass instead of the usual 60 votes. During this process, climate and tax provisions will continue to be negotiated, which are no closer to a deal than they were six months ago.
These two bills will drive the legislative agenda during the next month before Congress skips town for August recess. Historically, not much gets done after August recess during an election year.
NRCA joins with the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus to urge immigration reform
NRCA has joined with the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus in urging Congress to move forward regarding immigration reform in 2022. ANIC is a newly organized coalition of business, faith, advocacy and other stakeholders working to build bipartisan solutions to strengthen border security and provide long-needed reforms to the U.S. immigration system. Recently, there have been discussions among key lawmakers aimed at putting together a bipartisan compromise that would provide improved border security, as well as provisions to provide permanent legal status for individuals with Temporary Protected Status, those eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and other essential workers. With time growing short on the legislative calendar in 2022, NRCA is renewing its efforts with new partners in ANIC to urge Congress to take action regarding this critical issue this year.
NRCA submits comments regarding OSHA proposal to revoke Arizona State Plan
NRCA submitted comments on behalf of its members regarding the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s proposed rule—Arizona State Plan for Occupational Safety and Health; Proposed Reconsideration and Revocation, which was published April 21. NRCA is concerned about OSHA’s proposal to revoke its final approval of Arizona’s State Plan and revert to federal authority to resume discretionary concurrent enforcement. Arizona is one of 27 states that allow employers to operate under workplace safety and health rules, which are different from but deemed to be “at least as effective as” the rules established by federal OSHA as provided for under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
NRCA believes the employers and workers in Arizona are best served by OSHA devoting its limited resources to a more cooperative approach, assisting the Arizona Department of Occupation Safety and Health in improving its program rather than pursuing an adversarial approach as indicated in its proposal. Moreover, NRCA believes it is vital OSHA establish a clear results-based approach to evaluating state plans, as well as the agency’s federal rules, establishing an adequate measurement to determine effectiveness going forward. As such, NRCA opposes OSHA’s proposed rule to revoke the Arizona State Plan authority and urges OSHA to withdraw this action. NRCA stands willing to engage with OSHA and other stakeholders in efforts to develop consensus on a results-based approach that advances workplace safety and health for workers in Arizona and throughout the U.S.
Last call—Gold Coast Cocktail reception during NRCA’s Midyear Committee Meetings benefiting ROOFPAC
Planning to attend NRCA’s Midyear Committee Meetings in Chicago?
Relax with a Manhattan while catching up with your colleagues at ROOFPAC’s Gold Coast Cocktail reception Wednesday, July 13, from 5:30-7 p.m. at LuxBar, named one of the great bourbon bars of America, 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.
Upcoming Primary Elections
July 19: Maryland
July 26: Runoff in North Carolina
Aug. 2: Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington
Aug. 4: Tennessee (notable Thursday primary)
Aug. 9: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin
Aug. 13: Hawaii
Aug. 16: Alaska, Wyoming
Aug. 23: Florida
