On April 16-17, roofing professionals gathered in Washington, D.C., for the sixth annual Roofing Day in D.C. 2024, the premier industry advocacy event of the year that allows lawmakers to hear the roofing industry’s voice regarding key government policy issues.
Roofing Day in D.C. continues to be one of the largest advocacy events in Washington, D.C. This year, nearly 250 registered participants from 39 states engaged with more than 225 congressional offices to advocate on behalf of solutions to workforce challenges and pro-growth tax legislation.
A collaboration between NRCA members, industry stakeholders, and regional, state and local associations, the event unites the roofing industry to advocate for matters critical to its continued success.
Training and education
Roofing Day in D.C. provides participants with specialized advocacy training, in-depth issues briefings, and educational and networking experiences.
On Tuesday, April 16, at the Grand Hyatt Washington, NRCA CEO McKay Daniels kicked off the program with a speech in which he asked: “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”
Then, NRCA staff provided advocacy training and briefed participants regarding key advocacy issues with guidance about how to tailor messages to individual members of Congress.
Kent Gardner, president of building products for SRS Distribution Inc., McKinney, Texas, announced the winners of the first Roofing Day in D.C. participant awards. Florida and Ohio won for states with the most attendees, and the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants and the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance tied for largest organization representation. This year, more than 75 pieces of Congressional memorabilia were awarded to winners. Thank you to the sponsors of these events: the Chemical Film and Fabrics Association and ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis.
On Wednesday, April 17, participants enjoyed breakfast sponsored by Beacon Building Products, Herndon, Va., where Roofing Alliance President Greg Bloom explained the significance of the red and white socks each participant received. In 2017, the Roofing Alliance forged a long-term partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, marking a pivotal commitment to proactive social responsibility. Since its inception, all 167 of the standalone Ronald McDonald houses in the U.S. have received invaluable support from Roofing Alliance and NRCA members. From roof system inspections to vital maintenance, repairs and full roof system replacements, the roofing industry has contributed labor and materials valued at more than $3 million. Highlighting the industry’s ongoing community involvement throughout the U.S. set a positive tone for Congressional meetings early on.
Congressional keynote speaker Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) discussed the importance of promoting policy to allow the roofing industry to thrive and grow. Following the keynote address, Dave Wasserman, senior election analyst for The Cook Political Report and contributor to NBC News, provided an analysis of the current political environment. Thank you to SPRI and the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association for sponsoring these speakers.
Participants also received tips for Congressional meetings from current Capitol Hill staff and met with senators, representatives and congressional staff to convey the roofing industry’s message. To enhance attendees’ experience, all meetings were scheduled by NRCA and its partner Advocacy Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based consulting firm specializing in managing large advocacy events. All participants had access to the company’s online platform, which ensured last-minute scheduling changes were seen by participants in real time. Thank you to the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association for sponsoring this highly sought-after panel.
After an afternoon of Congressional meetings, attendees returned to the Grand Hyatt for a closing reception sponsored by SRS Distribution.
This year, many optional opportunities also were provided to participants. In addition to restaurant recommendations and historical tours, Julie Butler, preservation director for the Durable Restoration Co., Columbus, Ohio, led about two dozen attendees on an architectural tour of Capitol Hill Thursday morning.
Key issues
Each year, the Roofing Day Advisory Committee prioritizes a few issues that unite all segments of the roofing industry. For the 2024 event, the committee focused on two advocacy pillars: solutions to workforce challenges and supporting pro-growth tax legislation.
Workforce challenge solutions included increased funding for Perkins Career and Technical Education State Grants, reform of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to allow more employers access to training resources, and immigration reform to meet workforce needs. NRCA advocated for a new market-
orientated visa category under the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act and a permanent solution for qualified individuals currently working under Temporary Protected Status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
To support legislation promoting pro-growth tax policy, the industry advocated for the bipartisan Main Street Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 4721/S.1706) and the American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act (H.R. 2673/S. 866). The Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes permanent the 199A Qualified Business Income Deduction for pass-through entities. This deduction is set to expire at the end of 2025 if Congress does not act, disadvantaging many roofing industry employers. The American Innovation and R&D Competitiveness Act restores the ability for businesses to immediately deduct research and development expenses that currently must be amortized over five years for domestic companies.
Thanks to past participants and sponsors of Roofing Day in D.C. events, much progress and success has been realized regarding most issues presented to Congress, but continued industry engagement is key to maintaining the momentum.
Since Roofing Day in D.C. began in 2018, Congress has increased funding for Perkins Career and Technical Education State Grants each year by nearly $200 million, bringing the total to an estimated $1.4 billion. This funding is critical to helping employers meet workforce development needs.
Participants also helped secure passage of the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which included a strong buildings component, into law. Recently, the House of Representatives also passed A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which included reforms to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a long-standing Roofing Day in D.C. top issue.
In addition, since 2018, Roofing Day in D.C. attendees have supported passage into law the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act to ensure workforce development programs work well for the roofing industry and helped pass important provisions of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, legislation to promote energy efficiency in residential, commercial and industrial buildings.
Progress also continues regarding workforce visas through the Essential Workers for an Expanding Economy, immigration reform that has been a long-standing priority for the roofing industry. On the tax reform side, Roofing Day in D.C. advocacy has been successful with adding more than 180 members as co-sponsors of the Main Street Tax Certainty Act.
The primary goal of Roofing Day in D.C. is to establish long-term relationships with lawmakers in Congress that ultimately will help achieve important policy goals for the roofing industry’s future.
On behalf of NRCA’s leadership and staff, we look forward to seeing you at Roofing Day in D.C. 2025—April 8-9 in Washington, D.C.
DEBORAH MAZOL is NRCA’s director of federal affairs in Washington, D.C.
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