2024 Year End Updates From D.C.

Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Lobbyist, Craig Brightup, has provided the latest government relations update and activities on the following from October 2024:


Speaker Mike Johnson
When the House convenes on Jan. 3 for the new Congress, the Republican majority will be down to 219-215 per Rep. Gaetz’s (R-FL) resignation.  Thus, Speaker Johnson can only lose one Republican vote for the 218 necessary to keep his post.  But some Republicans are balking due to Johnson’s handling of the Continuing Resolution signed Dec. 21 to fund the government until March 14.  On Dec. 30, President-elect Trump backed Johnson, and nothing can proceed in Congress including the certification of Trump‘s election until there’s a Speaker.


Status of Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)  
On Dec. 3, a Texas federal judge halted the CTA’s Jan. 1 reporting requirements to Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) but on Dec. 23, a Fifth Circuit motions panel reversed the injunction and FinCEN extended the filing deadline to Jan. 13.  But on Dec. 26, a Fifth Circuit merits panel reinstated the injunction through March 2025.  TRIA signed a letter to Congress requesting language to delay the CTA be kept in the Continuing Resolution, but it was dropped making the injunction a bridge to the next Congress, as well.


Senate Thwarts NLRB Chair’s Re-Nomination
On Dec. 11, the Senate voted 50-49 to reject President Biden’s re-nomination of Lauren McFadden for another term as Chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).  Senate Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) had wanted to extend McFerran’s tenure to give Democrats control of the NLRB through 2026.  TRIA signed the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) letter opposing McFerran’s re-nomination.


OSHA PPE Regulations
On Dec. 11, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration finalized changes to the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for construction.  Starting in January 2025, OSHA will require that employers ensure PPE (hard hats, safety harnesses, etc.) is not only appropriate for protecting against specific job hazards but also fits each worker properly based on their body size and shape.


OSHA Heat Standard
OSHA extended the comment deadline for its proposed heat rule from Dec. 30 to Jan. 14, 2025.  The Construction Industry Safety Coalition (CISC), to which TRIA belongs, is preparing anchor comments for CISC members.


TRIA President in Washington, DC
TRIA President Rick Olson was in Washington for a Dec. 4 Roofing Industry Association Executives Meeting.  On Dec. 5, Olson and TRIA’s Craig Brightup met with Brad Mannion, Director of Labor, Health & Safety for the National Association of Home Builders and CISC coordinator, followed by a lunch for Sen. John Boozman (R-AR). 

TRIA President Olson pictured with Brad Mannion (left) and Sen. John Boozman (right).

For more information on the TRIA Alliance and our Government Relations efforts, please visit our website at www.tileroofing.org.