TRIA Reports On Updates From D.C.: Reconciliation Bill, OSHA, EPA Energy Star Program

Tile Roofing Industry Alliance Lobbyist, Craig Brightup, has provided the latest government relations update and activities on the following from May 2025:


Reconciliation Bill Countdown to July
On May 14, the House Ways & Means Cmte. approved its part of reconciliation’s One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB), as did the Energy & Commerce Cmte.  W&M would make the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent; temporarily eliminate taxes on tips, OT, and U.S.-made car loans; provide a $4,000 deduction for seniors; and increase the SALT cap to $30,000.  This would add $3.7 trillion to the debt over 10 years.  E&C found $880 billion in spending cuts with most from Medicaid.  Obamacare opened Medicaid eligibility for millions of able-bodied individuals. E&C would require semiannual verification of enrollees’ addresses/eligibility; end Biden financial incentives for states to accept expansion; reduce payments to states whose Medicaid program covers illegal immigrants; add an 80-hour per month work requirement for able-bodied adults; and ask Obamacare enrollees to pay up to $35 for some Medicaid services.  But E&C didn’t touch payments to states for Obamacare eligible enrollees, nor did it cap the amount of federal money states can spend per Medicaid enrollee.  On May 16, the Budget Committee voted on the OBBB, and it went down with five Republicans joining all Democrats.  These Republicans want more cuts from Medicaid and green energy tax credits.  Leadership wants House passage by Memorial Day and a final OBBB by July.   
 
OSHA Policy Hearing
On May 15, the House Workforce Protections Subcmte. held a hearing on “Reclaiming OSHA’s Mission: Ensuring Safety Without Overreach.”  The Chairman was flanked by new staffer Brad Mannion, a TRIA friend from fly-in meetings at the National Association of Home Builders.  Witnesses included members of the NAM and Tree Care Industry Association, an attorney previously with NAHB, and a former Obama official.   The hearing explored OSHA’s heat rule which Republicans criticized in its present form.  Other topics were OSHA’s worker walkaround rule, severe violator enforcement program, and instance-by-instance citation policy.
 
EPA’s Energy Star Program
The Trump Administration plans to end the EPA’s Energy Star program.  On May 5, the Office of Atmospheric Protections was told it would be dissolved and Energy Star eliminated.  Energy Star for roofing sunset in 2022.


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