Welcome to the latest ISSA Legislative & Regulatory Update, a biweekly roundup of the public-policy issues currently impacting the full cleaning supply chain. This update touches on ISSA applauding the reintroduction of the bipartisan Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act, ISSA Advocacy opportunities at ISSA Show North America 2025, what the government shutdown means for federal agencies and the cleaning industry, and more.

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ISSA Advocacy

ISSA Applauds Bipartisan Reintroduction of Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act
What it means: U.S. Representatives Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Mark Amodei (R-NV-2), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ-6), Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28), Don Davis (D-NC-1), Andy Harris (R-MD-1), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Richard McCormick (R-GA-7), Maria Salazar (R-FL-27), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3) reintroduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (HR 5494). This bipartisan legislation takes an important step toward addressing chronic workforce shortages in the cleaning industry and beyond by creating a market-driven visa pilot program for year-round, non-farm jobs in occupations that do not require a college degree.
Why it matters: The bill provides a practical solution to one of the most pressing challenges facing employers across the country. Cleaning businesses continue to struggle to find sufficient workers to meet demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 540,000 cleaning job openings are expected each year in the U.S. The act would establish a new H-2C visa designed to fill these essential roles in a way that strengthens compliance, protects U.S. workers, enables employers to create more jobs, and expands economic growth.
What ISSA is doing with your help: “ISSA’s support for the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act is grounded in recognition that cleaning industry employers struggle to hire enough workers, which limits their ability to meet growing demands, maintain cleanliness and sanitation standards, and protect public health,” said John Nothdurft, ISSA Director of Government Affairs. The association commends the bipartisan leadership of the lawmakers who recently reintroduced the bill, including Representative Smucker—a 2025 recipient of ISSA’s Outstanding Government Service Award—and looks forward to working with them, alongside our members, to enact this priority legislation for our industry and economy into law. Learn more

Using ISSA’s Advocacy Action Center, urge your congressional delegation to cosponsor the bipartisan HR 5494 to help alleviate chronic labor shortages in industries like cleaning, facility services, hospitality, and more. Take action now

From the Show Floor to Capitol Hill—Advocacy Starts Here
Advocacy doesn’t stop on the show floor—it starts there. At ISSA Show North America 2025, November 10–13, your ISSA Advocacy Team will bring Capitol Hill to Las Vegas with engaging activities for you to learn about and shape the public policies impacting our industry and your cleaning business. Join us for these can’t-miss advocacy events at the show this year—all included with your show registration unless otherwise noted:

November 10

Navigating Challenges in the Cleaning Industry: Bold Ideas for a New Era, 9 am-10 am, South Pacific F – North Convention Center; All Access Pass required

Politics, Policy, & Your Business: What Cleaning Companies Need to Know, 1:45 pm-2:45 pm, Islander H – North Convention Center

November 11

Industry Leaders Roundtable, 12 pm-12:30 pm, Business Solutions Theater – Show Floor, Booth #1417

ISSA End Period Poverty Service Project, 1 pm-3 pm, ISSA Experience Hub – Show Floor, Booth #3701; we kindly request that those who work for businesses beginning with letters A-L volunteer between 1 pm and 2 pm and those who work for businesses beginning with letters M-Z volunteer between 2 pm and 3 pm. Sponsored by Hospeco Brands Group

November 12

From Job to Career: Elevating Cleaning with Training and Trade Recognition, 12 pm-12:30 pm, Business Solutions Theater – Show Floor, Booth #1417

Panel Discussion: Extended Producer Responsibility & Sustainable Packaging, 1 pm-2 pm, Business Solutions Theater – Show Floor, Booth #1417

Voices of Change: How You Can Champion the Cleaning Industry, 3:30 pm- 4 pm, CleanMeet Zone – Show Floor, Booth #3555

ISSA Advocacy Meet & Greet, 4 pm-5 pm, CleanMeet Zone – Show Floor, Booth #3555

And stop by the Advocacy kiosk in the ISSA Experience Hub on the Show Floor, Booth #3701 throughout the show to connect with your Advocacy Team and discover how you can make an impact. Learn more & register now

Additional Updates

Legislative

Government Shutdown Continues This Week as Senate Votes Fail Again
U.S. senators on Friday failed to pass competing bills to fund the federal government, extending the shutdown into this week. Shortly after the failed votes, the House of Representatives GOP said that it would extend its recess through October 13 to put pressure on Senate Democrats.

Senate Democrats have said that the House GOP should be at the Capitol to negotiate a new deal, so the decision increases the likelihood that the shutdown will last until the middle of October. A longer shutdown could start weighing down the economy. Democrats are banking on Republicans feeling pressure to avoid that, leading them to cut a deal. Learn more (The Hill)

Regulatory

What the Government Shutdown Means for Federal Agencies
Most federal agencies have stopped all but their most essential functions. Below are the effects that the shutdown will have on the daily operations of several key agencies for the cleaning industry. ISSA will keep our members apprised as we learn additional pertinent details.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• PRIA 5 includes a provision that states “to the maximum extent practicable,” the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) will continue user-fee-based activities during a government shutdown.
• While some OPP personnel will work during the shutdown, registrants should expect delays since two-thirds of the OPP budget and salaries are paid by federal appropriations. EPA is evaluating which OPP employees will work during this shutdown.
• It is the understanding of the PRIA Coalition, of which ISSA is a leading member, that EPA will evaluate the balances in the registrant-paid PRIA and Maintenance Fee accounts and determine how many and which OPP employees will work based on available funds.

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)

• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will pause routine workplace safety visits, focusing only on emergencies involving imminent danger and fatalities.
• DOL will pause all regulatory efforts, including deregulatory actions, during the shutdown.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

• USCIS is primarily funded by filing fees rather than government funding. Therefore, most of its offices will continue to operate. (National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors)
• E-Verify will not be available for employers during the government shutdown. Importantly, the inability to access E-Verify does not affect an employer’s obligation with respect to I-9 forms, which must still be completed no later than the third business day after an employee’s first day of employment.

Learn more (Littler)

State News

FL’s Minimum Wage Increased
Florida’s minimum wage increased to US$14 per hour on September 30. This increase was part of a voter-approved amendment from 2020. The minimum wage has gone up by a dollar each year since 2021 and will reach $15 by 2026. Learn more (WFTV9)

NM Moves to Ban PFAS in Cleaners
New Mexico moved to ban further consumer products that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), otherwise known as “forever chemicals,” following the passage of House Bill 212 earlier this year. HB 212 will institute the gradual phasing out of intentionally added PFAS in everyday items. Learn more (Cleaning & Maintenance Management)