This Week in D.C.

Disaster relief assistance for Hurricane Milton

Numerous areas of Florida have or will be declared federal disaster areas because of the extensive damage and flooding caused by Hurricane Milton. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has information on its website regarding the coordinated federal, state and local response and recovery efforts related to this devastating storm. Additional information across all federal agencies is available at www.usa.gov/hurricane-milton. Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides qualifying businesses with access to low-interest loans and other resources and is expected to announce specific eligibility for Hurricane Milton during the coming weeks. NRCA will continue to monitor federal disaster-related developments regarding Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

H-2B seasonal visa program

NRCA is urging the Biden administration to move forward with providing supplemental visas for the H-2B seasonal worker program for the upcoming 2025 peak season. Current law provides the Departments of Homeland Security and Labor with the authority to jointly issue supplemental visas above the statutory maximum of 66,000 per year if warranted by demand, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services already has announced it has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap for the first half of fiscal 2025. In 2023, the administration issued more than 64,000 supplemental H-2B visas beyond the statutory cap, allowing more employers, including NRCA members, to meet their workforce needs. In a recent letter to Biden administration officials, NRCA and the H-2B Workforce Coalition urged the administration “to promptly make all the available supplemental H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2025 accessible” to provide employers with “additional certainty regarding their workforce planning decisions in the coming months.” NRCA will continue working to maximize the availability of H-2B visas to meet seasonal workforce needs.

Warehouse Worker Protection Act

A group of lawmakers led by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) have introduced the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (S. 4260), legislation purportedly aimed at protecting warehouse workers. NRCA has reviewed the bill and noted it contains provisions that would, if enacted, have substantial effects on a broad array of industries beyond warehousing, including construction. For example, the bill would direct the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to issue a new workplace ergonomics standard that would have significant implications for numerous industries. Additionally, there are concerns the bill’s proposed restrictions on the use of production quotes by employers could set a problematic precedent applicable to many types of businesses. Given these and other concerns with the legislation, NRCA and the Coalition for Workplace Safety sent a letter to key senators noting opposition to the bill in its current form. View more information about the legislation. 

Election Day is Nov. 5, but voting has begun in many states

Although Election Day is a month away, voters in many states have already begun early voting. This month-long process in many states adds a layer of complexity to candidates’ campaign strategies while giving voters easier access to the democratic system by offering many ways (and days) to vote. NRCA encourages everyone to exercise their civic duty and vote—whether on Election Day, in-person during early voting or by mail. Extended flexibility also has been granted to those in disaster-affected locations. Please take a moment to learn more about your state’s deadlines and do your research to vote for candidates who will best serve our industry and our country.

Date : Jan. 01, 0001