VMA’s Policy Agenda and President Trump’s Priorities

VMA’s Government Affairs Committee, based on a survey of VMA member companies, agreed to a policy agenda that monitors, analyzes and informs of our member companies, and conducts advocacy — depending on the issue. Many of the issues on VMA’s policy agenda relate to President Trump’s priorities outlined in his first week of office:

• Energy: From the President’s declaration of a “national energy emergency,” the “Unleashing American Energy” and “unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” Executive Orders, it is clear increasing American energy is a priority.
• Trade & Tariffs: While no EOs were put in place during the first week, President Trump has noted that as early as February 1 some tariffs may be in place, and he has also called for federal agencies to review tariff impacts by April 1.
• Regulations: As many Presidents do, President Trump put a freeze on new regulations. Because the EPA PFAS reporting requirement is already in place, that is not affected. VMA expects continued focus from the states on PFAS, which are not subject to federal oversight of their activities.
• Workforce & Immigration: A change to anti-discrimination laws, DEI policies and immigration is front and center for the Trump administration. How this will affect visas for skilled workers employed by our industry, or the impact of finding employees at facilities, is yet to be seen.
• Taxes: The tax code is being revised this year, which includes a review of the corporate tax rate, R&D expensing, the “pass-through” rate important to many small and family businesses, as well as other provisions affecting the business climate for companies operating in the US.

Other areas VMA will continue to monitor and inform our members about include:

• “Buy America/Build America” or BABA;
• The Inflation Reduction Act to follow funding of energy and water infrastructure projects beneficial to our industry;
• Sustainability reporting;
• Workforce issues like the Department of Labor’s Overtime Rule, job training and workforce grants;
• EHS issues like the OSHA Heat Rule and Walkaround Rule;
• fugitive emissions, and,
• Permitting.