Situational Awareness
The House of Representatives and Senate are both in session this week. In addition to several bills related to scientific research and development safeguards, the House will consider two Congressional Review Act disapproval resolutions that would walk back two Biden-era regulations that would alter energy conservation standards for “walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers” and “commercial refrigerators, freezers and refrigerator-freezers.” The Senate will continue to consider a slate of presidential nominations.
After passing a short-term spending measure that will fund the federal government through the rest of the fiscal year, GOP lawmakers in both chambers will resume work on their respective budget reconciliation packages, which will serve as vehicles to pass a highly anticipated tax bill and other policy priorities for the Trump administration. Beyond deciding what will be included in the final tax bill, there are a handful of significant hurdles that must be addressed, including raising the debt ceiling and determining how to pay for extending several expiring provisions from the 2017 tax law.
NCA On The Hill
As has been noted in previous WWU and a webcast earlier this month, NCA has been keeping a close eye on the reconciliation process developing on the Hill. Last week, former NCA board member Rob Smith and I had a call with House Ways and Means Committee staff to discuss reconciliation and will be heading up to the Hill later this week to meet with tax staff on the committee. Our objective is to get a better understanding of where the committee is heading with regard to possible tax reforms for nonprofit enterprises and sharing our concerns about the collateral impact changes could have on 501(c)(7) clubs. NCA will continue to meet with representatives and senators in the coming days and weeks to make sure legislators understand the role clubs play in their local communities and economies. The economic impact study sponsored by NCA, CMAA and Club Benchmarking is proving to be a timely and useful investment to better communicate the importance of clubs. We will continue to update members through the WWU and urge readers to contact their representatives to share their opposition to tax changes for social and recreational organizations.
Senate Environment Committee Holds Confirmation Hearing for EPA Officials
On Wednesday, March 26, the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing to receive testimony from two of President Trump’s nominees to serve as assistant administrators of the Environmental Protection Agency:
- Jessica Kramer was nominated to serve as EPA’s assistant administrator for water. She previously served with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as deputy secretary of regulatory programs. Kramer was heavily involved in the water portions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act as water counsel for then-Senate Committee for Environment and Public Works Ranking Member—now Chair—Shelley Moore-Capito (R-W.V.). If confirmed, Kramer would be responsible for implementing the EPA’s updated “waters of the United States” rule.
- Sean Donahue, the EPA’s current principal deputy general counsel, was nominated to serve as EPA’s general counsel—the highest lawyer for the agency. He previously served in EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management. If confirmed, Donahue will be at the center of several policy disputes, including a recent executive order that questions the legality of the EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding, which serves as the foundation for regulations aimed at curbing carbon emissions.
ICYMI
- The National Club Association signed onto a letter led by the Partnership to Protect Workplace Opportunity (PPWO) addressed to Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting they abandon the administration’s defense in federal court of the Biden-era overtime rule. Read PWWO’s official statement on the letter here.
- A federal judge in Tennessee tossed out a legal challenge to the Biden-era independent contractor rule, ruling that the plaintiffs couldn’t prove they had been harmed by the rule and therefore lacked standing.
- The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced that the two agencies would review the definition of “waters of the United States” to ensure current regulations are in accordance with the Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (2023).
NCC25 Early-bird Rates End Tomorrow!
Register now to enjoy the lowest rate available for the 2025 National Club Conference, April 27-29 in New York City! Enjoy two-and-a-half days of C-suite level education, valuable networking opportunities and unmatched social experiences to build your club network and better lead your club! Pricing goes up on March 26, so register today at nationalclubconference.org.
New Webcast: Cyber Insurance Basics – What Your Club Needs to Know
On Thursday, April 10 at 2pm EST, join us for a new webcast on aligning your club’s cyber insurance with its cybersecurity practices. Cybersecurity consultant Way Proctor of IGI Cybersecurity will explore how a club’s cybersecurity measures impact cyber insurance—from the application process to ongoing compliance.
We’ll discuss what insurers typically look for, why accurate security disclosures matter, and how strengthening your club’s cyber posture can position you for better coverage. Whether you’re considering a new policy or preparing for renewal, understanding the connection between cybersecurity and insurance is key to managing risk and costs effectively. Register here. (Registration is free for NCA members.)
