Situational Awareness
The House and Senate are in session this week. It’s gas stove week in the House! The lower chamber will consider two bills limiting federal agencies’ ability to further regulate gas stoves —one preventing the Consumer Product Safety Commission from using funds to regulate them and one blocking the Department of Energy from finalizing a proposed rule on gas stove efficiency. The Senate will consider two agency nominations and one judicial nomination after delays due to attendance issues preventing confirmations.
Labor Nominee Testifies in House
Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) released its opinion on Sackett v. EPA, which challenged This week, Acting Secretary of Labor, Julie Su, will face the House Education and Workforce Committee as her nomination to lead the agency remains in doubt. The hearing is expected to focus on the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) priorities and will undoubtedly open up the nominee to questions about proposed rules and policies in the works at DOL. There are two major rules under consideration at the Department that have been delayed due to the lack of a confirmed secretary. Perhaps the most controversial is the proposed independent contractor rule, which would make it more difficult to classify workers as independent contractors. Acting Secretary Su headed California’s Labor Department when the expansive AB5 went into effect and enforced the rule. The second major rule businesses have been waiting on is an update to the overtime threshold. NCA has weighed in on both proposed regulations and will continue to push on these issues.
Post Debt Ceiling Moves
Now that the debt ceiling has been raised, Washington can get back to work on day-to-day matters, eyes are shifting toward annual spending bills, defense authorization and the farm bill. The annual appropriations process has some additional impetus behind it as the debt ceiling package requires a mandatory 1% cut if Congress doesn’t pass them by January 1, 2024. The Senate Appropriations Committee is chaired by Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine) will have to come to an agreement on the top-line numbers for each subcommittee to kick off the process.
Tax Audits Likely to Increase Soon
Tax policy experts are advising businesses to be prepared for the increased likelihood of audits in the coming months and years as a result of the Inflation Reduction Act’s augmentation of the Internal Revenue Service to the tune of $80 billion. The IRS is in the process of hiring and training thousands of additional auditors and speculation has begun about which areas the agency will increase its focus. The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) is one area policy experts are suggesting could be ripe for investigation as well as employee classification, remote work and deferred compensation.
NCA Bolsters Advocacy Program
Last week, NCA engaged Platinum Advisors to assist the association with its advocacy efforts. I have been serving in both roles as CEO and head of government relations since June, 2022 and this new partnership will add depth and breadth to our government relations program. Platinum Advisors is a bipartisan lobbying firm and former NCA Board of Directors member, Rob Smith, is a partner. Many of you know Rob was a valuable member of NCA’s board for six years and is very familiar with the issues clubs face in legislation and regulation at the federal and state levels. This partnership was announced at the National Club Conference on May 9, and you can hear the update Rob and I gave to the conference here.
Read Gov’t Relations Content with just your Email Address
You can now access all Club Director content, including our interview with the leaders of Congressional Golf Caucus, which was recently relaunched in 2022, with just your email address, no password required. Our new digital platform has a new, easy login for you to get the most out of your NCA membership. Read the latest Club Director here and take a moment to update your club’s roster so your board members reap the benefits as well. You can quickly update your roster by emailing John Good at [email protected] or visiting here.
Register Today for Upcoming NCA Webcasts
- Thurs., June 15 | 2 pm ET. Sorting Through all the Racket (About Racquet Sports). Free to all NCA members. Register here.
- Thurs., June 22 | 2 pm ET. Pathways to Success: Transitioning to a New General Manager/Chief Operating Officer. Free to all NCA members. Register here.