Policy Issues, Supply Chain Discussions and Outlooks at the WDMA Spring Virtual Legislative Conference

The Window & Door Manufacturers Association held its annual Spring Meeting and Legislative Conference March 30-31. The conference featured members of Congress, WDMA leaders and representatives from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 

The first day of conference started with WDMA members hearing from WDMA Chair Steve Tourek and WDMA CEO Mike O’Brien. WDMA leadership reported on the state of WDMA and noted the key priorities for the association in the coming year. This session was followed by WDMA’s advocacy team providing an overview of what to expect from the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress. The team touched on key policy issues impacting the window, door and skylight industry including trade, infrastructure, tax, energy and ongoing regulatory issues. The team also discussed the upcoming midterm election and its effect on the balance of power in Washington.

The day concluded with a keynote speech from Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), the senior-Republican on the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Luetkemeyer highlighted key issues facing window, door and skylight manufacturers including rising costs due to inflation and labor shortages, as well as a legislative outlook of what to expect from Congress as the midterm election approaches.

The second day of the conference began with keynote speeches from Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Kevin Hern (R-OK). Reps. Smith and Hern, both members of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, discussed key tax and trade issues under consideration in the current session of Congress.

The conference concluded with a panel discussion on the current supply chain crisis with experts from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The panel examined economic concerns resulting from supply chain disruptions, its impact on the business community and efforts from the federal government to help alleviate these problems.