Tariffs, Labor Rules, and Roofing Day in DC: TRIA’s January 2026 Policy Update

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

Roofing Day/TRIA Fly-In
Roofing Day in DC takes place April 14-15 at the Yotel (Senate-side, Capitol Hill). The TRIA DC Fly-In will be held in conjunction with Roofing Day starting with a dinner on April 13, followed by TRIA meetings with officials through most of April 14, and culminating with a meeting at the National Association of Home Builders the morning of April 16.            
 
Tariffs
On Jan. 12, President Trump threatened 25% tariffs on countries “doing business” with Iran but there’s nothing official from the White House.  And on Jan. 16, Trump announced more tariffs on the following European countries opposing U.S. control of Greenland:  Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, and Finland.  They’ll be levied a 10% tariff starting Feb. 1 going to 25% on June 1, but again there’s nothing official from the White House.  Also, with the Iran/Greenland-related tariffs apparently based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), they could soon be short-circuited by a Supreme Court ruling.
 
DOL Sec. Chavez-DeRemer Under Investigation
Per the attached and other reports, the Dept. of Labor’s Inspector General placed Sec. Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s aides on administrative leave amid an investigation into alleged misconduct by the Secretary.
 
Independent Contractor Rule
DOL sent a proposed independent contractor rule to the Office of Management and Budget.  Business coalitions that include TRIA have been pushing the Administration to repeal the Biden-era rule.
 
NIOSH    
The Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) reinstated some employees cut by DOGE who handle workplace safety and health matters at HHS’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

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