Washington Update – 05/01/2025

ASA Advocacy was on Capitol Hill last week to meet with key staff on the anticipated budget reconciliation bill as well as issues critical to the PHCP/PVF industry that included plumbing, workforce, and high-performance building issues.  The latter was part of a broader effort as part of the High Performance Building Coalition, an alliance of over 30 national associations that provide guidance and support to the United States Congress’ High Performance Building Caucus.  With President Trump celebrating 100 days in office this week, here is the latest:
 

Trade/Tariffs:  As trade negotiations continue with 75 countries reportedly at the table, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week said that 17 or 18 trade deals are in their final stages and could be revealed soon with Japan, South Korea, and India expected to be some of the first announced.
 

An effort in the Senate to reject the President’s “Liberation Day” tariffs was defeated on Wednesday night, 49-49, with Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK), Susan Collins (ME), and Rand Paul (KY) joining Democrats.  As has been seen over the last few weeks, many in government and business alike have been uneasy about the speed and veracity of tariffs.  The United States has gone from a 2.3% effective tariff rate at the beginning of the year to 28% after April 2.  However, there could be some light on the horizon.   Earlier this week, President Trump agreed to provide additional relief to auto manufacturers that are unable to shift production quickly enough or source components domestically.  It could send a signal to other industries, as was seen during Trump 1.0, when tariff waivers were issued after an application process. July 8^th will also be a key date, as this is when the 90 day pause on many reciprocal tariffs expires and it could lead to a rollback of tariffs with major trading partners or an extension for those in negotiations.  The only certain thing at this point tends to be uncertainty.  
 

Budget/Tax: Members of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee are putting the final touches on their portion of budget reconciliation as far as tax policy goes.  Two critical pieces that they are waiting to see are the results of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and how it will address $800 billion in cuts, and the House Agriculture Committee and how it could address cuts to SNAP.  Per the budget instructions passed earlier this year, the Ways and Means Committee can institute $4.5 trillion in tax cuts if other committees pare back their spending by $2 trillion. At the end of the day, both chambers in Congress will have to make sure that the White House is on board before proceeding with the mammoth initiative.  Congressional Republicans have set a Memorial Day deadline for floor action on the bill and a subsequent July 4 deadline to get the bill on the President’s desk.   Several areas still need to be worked out between the House and Senate, with Medicaid funding currently a contentious issue.  How that can and will be cut has also been a subject for debate between Congress and the White House.
 

• Per the Speaker’s Office, reconciliation bills out of committee are as follows:
• Armed Services:  Committee Print Passed 35-21
• Education & Workforce:  Committee Print Passed 21-14
• Homeland Security: Committee Print Passed 18-14
• Transportation and Infrastructure: Committee print Passed 36-30
• Financial Services: Committee Print Passed 30-22
• Oversight and Government Reform: Committee Print Passed 22-21
• Judiciary: Committee Print Passed 23-17

Congressional Review Act: This week, two Congressional Review Act (CRA) measures of note passed in Congress.   First, SJ RES 42, passed the Senate 52-46, and aims to roll back certain labeling and certification requirements by the Department of Energy for certain consumer and commercial products.  HJ RES 89 rescinds the EPA waiver provided to California on Low NOX emissions for trucks, passed 225-196 in the House.