From Tariffs To Workforce: Advocacy Priorities Taking Shape Across PHCP-PVF Supply Chain

With the first year of the second Trump Administration now complete, Washington remains as dynamic as ever. Cabinet transitions, Congressional activity, regulatory reviews, tariff developments, and ongoing legal decisions continue to shape a rapidly shifting policy landscape. ASA Advocacy remains fully engaged across a broad range of issues affecting our industry, both in Washington and nationwide.

As the Administration continues to advance its “America First” agenda, the President has begun making changes within his senior leadership team. Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose department oversees agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), has been reassigned to a special envoy role focused on South America. The move comes as Congressional Democrats have continued to oppose funding for the department in response to concerns over ICE enforcement practices.

Lawmakers reached a funding deal for the federal government, but the Department of Homeland Security remained the main sticking point. Disputes over ICE enforcement, broader DHS operations, and TSA staffing shortages fueled congressional gridlock and public frustration. President Trump later nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R‑OK) to replace Kristi Noem as DHS Secretary. Mullin, a first‑term senator and former congressman, is also a plumber by trade, and his family still runs Mullin Plumbing in Tulsa.  After Mullin’s confirmation, Attorney General Pam Bondi resigned, elevating Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to Acting Attorney General while his own nomination is pending.  At the Department of Labor, Secretary Lori Chavez DeRemer resigned amid multiple misconduct investigations. Keith Sonderling is serving as Acting Secretary while awaiting Senate confirmation.

With funding stalled in Congress, Republicans turned to the reconciliation process to advance the Administration’s priorities and overcome Democratic opposition in either chamber. In May, Congress passed the second reconciliation bill of the 119^th Congress. The legislation extended the 2018 Farm Bill, revised the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by increasing work requirements, provided additional funding for the War Department, and invested in FAA modernization. It also included several rescissions that rolled back funding for Biden-era initiatives, particularly at the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. In addition, the bill made several provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), commonly known as the Trump tax cuts, permanent, including existing income tax rates and increases to the standard deduction for individual filers and businesses.

With this major legislative work happening, ASA Advocacy continues to engage decision makers in Washington on a variety of issues.  As appropriations season is in full swing, ASA made several visits to Capitol Hill to hold discussions with appropriations staff in both chambers surrounding the Energy Star and WaterSense programs, which are of interest to our industry. Last year, funding was restored by Congress for both programs.  However, the Energy Star program (previously under both DOE and EPA) will be moved entirely to the Department of Energy. The language that created and authorized the program requires EPA oversight, so how this is rectified remains to be determined. 

Other ongoing efforts include a renewed push to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which would provide additional funding for worker training while offering greater flexibility in how those programs are delivered. As work on WIOA continues, ASA is also partnering with the office of Senator Ted Budd (NC) to promote his recently introduced Employer Directed Skills Act (S.3846). This legislation is designed to expand skills‑development opportunities by allowing employers to identify prospective employees for training programs of the employer’s choosing and to receive partial reimbursement for the costs of employer‑directed training, among other benefits.

The House Agriculture Committee has advanced the long‑awaited Farm Bill, which includes key provisions from the Healthy H2O Act—legislation long championed by ASA. These provisions would allow rural residents, particularly those who rely on private wells, to test their water and apply for grants to support corrective measures, including the use of third‑party certified, end‑point filtration devices. The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration.

H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act, introduced by Rep. Nick Langworthy (NY) and supported by ASA, continues to advance in the House. After being reported out of the Energy and Commerce Committee in December, the bill was placed on the House calendar and may receive floor consideration. The legislation would prevent state and local governments from prohibiting specific fuel types, underscoring the importance of consumer access to diverse energy and product options.

Customs and Border Protection, in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, reported that development of the tariff refund portal is approximately 60–85% complete. The agency also noted that reviewing and processing refund applications may take up to 45 days once the system is operational. ASA will share additional updates as they become available.

Section 122 tariffs will remain at 10% until the 150‑day period concludes on July 24, 2026. In the meantime, the Administration continues to pursue additional investigations under Section 232, which focuses on industry‑specific national security concerns, and Section 301, which addresses unfair trade practices.

Congress passed the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers. The legislation is intended to reduce regulatory barriers by modernizing environmental reviews, establishing clearer guidelines for state and local zoning, and expanding access to housing in urban, suburban, and rural communities. It also provides funding for research, reporting, and accountability measures to track implementation and outcomes. Although the President declined to sign the bill to increase pressure on Congress to pass the voting-focused SAVE America Act, the legislation ultimately became law.

As part of ASA’s ongoing advocacy efforts, the association joined industry partners at PHCC’s legislative conference in Washington, DC, on May 5–6. The event brought 165 contractors and distributors to Capitol Hill for face‑to‑face meetings with Senators, Members of Congress, and congressional staff. Attendees also received briefings on current political and policy developments and participated in networking and dining events.

If you have any advocacy related questions, please contact Vice President of Advocacy Steve Rossi at srossi@asa.net.