Post-Election Roofing Industry Updates

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

​U.S. Senate and House Numbers
Dave McCormick’s victory over incumbent PA Sen. Bob Casey (D), who conceded on Nov. 21, gives Republicans a 53-seat majority in the U.S. Senate when the 119th Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2025.  In the House, with one race yet to be called the final numbers will likely be 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats.


Trump’s Economic and Energy Picks
President-elect Trump has chosen White House staff that won’t need Senate confirmation and Cabinet-level picks that will.  His economic and energy picks are formidable with Scott Bessent for Treasury, Kevin Hassett for the White House National Economic Council, Russ Vought for the Office of Management and Budget, and Chris Wright for Energy.  Bessent, a hedge fund manager, has a  “3-3-3” plan to reduce budget deficits to 3% of GDP by 2028, boost GDP growth to 3% through deregulation and other pro-growth policies, and increase U.S. energy production by 3 million barrels of oil per day.  Hassett and Vought served in Trump’s first term, and Chris Wright runs a fracking company.  Unfortunately, Trump also selected Lori Chavez DeRemer for the Dept. of Labor (DOL).              


Trump Nominates Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer for Labor Secretary
President-elect Trump nominated union-friendly Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-5), who lost her reelection bid, for Sec. of Labor.  DeRemer was one of three House Republicans who backed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act and told construction unions she supports Biden’s project labor agreement (PLA) mandate for federal construction contracts which AGC and ABC are fighting in court.  Choosing DeRemer is seen as a nod to Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and whether she’s confirmed by the Senate remains to be seen, but union support could provide Democrat votes to offset Republican opposition.  If confirmed, Trump’s picks for the following posts will be crucial to limiting DeRemer’s pro-union influence: DOL Solicitor of Labor, DOL Asst. Sec. for Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), and the National Labor Relations Board’s General Counsel and Board members.  This Wall Street Journal op-ed, Trump Betrays the Truckers with Chavez-DeRemer, explains issues with her selection.


Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
A bipartisan, bicameral agreement was announced on Nov. 21 for a 5-year WIOA reauthorization bill (A Stronger Workforce for America Act).  WIOA is a priority for construction groups to help with the skilled worker gap and the bill passed the House with 373 votes but stalled in the Senate due to a “blacklisting” labor law provision added by Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-VT).  The compromise bill doesn’t include Sanders’ provision and will be “hot lined” for passage in December’s lame duck session.  


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