Inside Washington: TRIA’s Latest Update on Roofing Policy, Tariffs, and Labor Issues

Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Lobbyist, Craig Brightup, has provided the latest government relations update and activities on the following from January 2026:

Government Shutdown
Parts of the federal government shut down Jan. 30 when Senate Democrats withdrew support for a House-passed package to fund Homeland Security, Labor, DOD, HHS, HUD, and Transportation.  The Jan. 30 deadline is from a Continuing Resolution after the last shutdown, and this time Democrats want new procedures for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Homeland Security bill.  A deal between Senate Democrats and President Trump allowed Senate passage of a five-bill package with Homeland Security pulled and extended two weeks for negotiations.  However, the House must pass the modified package but doesn’t return to DC until Feb. 2.

Roofing Day in DC/TRIA Fly-In
​Roofing Day takes place April 14-15 at the Yotel on the Senate-side of Capitol Hill. TRIA’s Fly-In will be held in conjunction with Roofing Day starting with a dinner April 13, followed by TRIA meetings with federal officials through most of April 14, and culminating with a meeting at the National Association of Home Builders on the morning of April 16.

Tariffs
President Trump’s threats of 25% tariffs on countries “doing business” with Iran and 10% - 25% tariffs on European countries opposing U.S. control of Greenland have not been formalized.  Also, the much-anticipated U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Trump’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs (“reciprocal” and “fentanyl” IEEPA tariffs) did not come in January and will likely be issued in February.

DOL Sec. Chavez-DeRemer Under Investigation
Per the attached and continuing reports, the Dept. of Labor’s Inspector General is investigating alleged misconduct by Sec. Lori Chavez-DeRemer.  The investigation is such that Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to Chavez-DeRemer requesting she address the allegations.

Independent Contractor Rule
DOL sent a proposed independent contractor rule to OMB which business coalitions including TRIA have been pushing for to repeal/replace the Biden-era rule.

WIRT Lunch at TRIA Capitol Hill Office
On Jan. 15, the Washington Industrial Roundtable (WIRT) held a lunch at TRIA’s Capitol Hill Office with special guest Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH).      


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