TRIA’s Advocacy Agenda: Key Federal Issues in September 2026

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


21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
The 21st Century Renewed Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act became law on July 11.  The attached Fact Sheet was put together by the Senate Banking Committee when a compromise was struck with the House, and the cover page provides an overview.  The bill’s 47 provisions will take time to move the needle, but it’s a start and hopefully Congress will pass the More Homes on the Market Act to raise the cap gains exemptions for selling homes, too.

More Homes on the Market Act
The More Homes on the Market Act keeps adding cosponsors and is now up to 158 in the House (91 Ds, 67 Rs) and 24 in the Senate (19 Rs, 5 Ds).

Tariffs
On Sept. 27, the U.S. and China announced a $30 billion reciprocal tariff agreement to cut tariffs on a list of non-strategic products. Tariff rates on over 90% of the products would be subject to "most-favored-nation" levels, meaning country-specific tariffs will effectively be eliminated.  Products from China receiving reduced tariffs include fireworks and tableware with the list of all products found here.
 
Interior Immigration Enforcement
On Sept. 21, a federal judge in Alabama blocked the Trump Administration from making warrantless arrests and detaining construction workers in the state without reasonable suspicion that they’re undocumented.  The judge ruled that immigration officers are temporarily barred from conducting raids on private construction sites in Alabama without a warrant while a lawsuit filed by a U.S.-born construction worker proceeds.
 
Small Business Size Standards
U.S. Small Business Administration proposed changes to small business size standards would shift roofing contactors from a receipts-based standard of $19 million in annual revenue or less to an employee-based standard of 650 employees or less.  Also, the SBA’s separate category for roofing contractors would be rolled into a broader category for “Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors.”  The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is concerned that if the rule were to become final, an additional 114,000 larger businesses would qualify as small business for federal dollars, contracts, and programs.
 
EPA Greenhouse Gas Rules
On Sept. 14, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the rescission of a Biden-era rule that limited greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power plants.  This follows EPA’s action earlier this year revoking an Obama-era endangerment finding that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and the elimination of all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks.
 
Dept. of Labor
On Sept. 30, the Senate voted 47-41 to confirm Acting Labor Sec. Keith Sonderling to lead the DOL.
 
DOL IC Rule
On Sept. 29, a DOL rule to make it easier for business to classify workers as independent contractors rather than employees was sent for final review to the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA).
 
Congressional Meetings
In September, I met with Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Rep. Troy Balderson (R-OH), and the Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY).  I also met with staff for Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL) and Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
 

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