Author: agcnews
The U.S. Department of Interior has proposed to delay the effective date of the Trump Administration’s final rule to decriminalize incidental take (accidental harm) under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) finalized in January. AGC supports the Trump Administration’s rule as it provides clarity and relief for industry and private citizens from prosecution for engaging in lawful actions that may result in the accidental injuring or killing of a migratory bird. The Biden Administration nominee for Interior, Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.), is publicly against the rule. Furthermore, the Biden Administration is reconsidering the government’s appeal of a decision last year…
On February 24, the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works held its first infrastructure hearing of the new Congress, titled “Building Back Better: Investing in Transportation while Addressing Climate Change, Improving Equity, and Fostering Economic Growth and Innovation.” The Committee’s new chairman, Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), stated that now is the time to “get something done.” He also reiterated his previously stated goal of reporting a bill out of committee by no later than Memorial Day. The Committee’s new ranking member, Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), emphasized that the process must be bipartisan, and avoid a package full of “ideologically…
On February 24, AGC called on the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to follow the traditional federal regulatory processes that allow for all industries—including construction—to better inform any new regulations the agency seeks to put forth concerning COVID-19 based on a thorough review of science, experience and practical industry-specific approaches. As it stands, a recent executive order effectively instructs OSHA to issue an emergency temporary standard (ETS) on COVID-19 by March 15 and then issue a permanent standard within six months. AGC is concerned that the rush to issue an ETS and permanent standard could negatively impact the safety and health procedures…
On February 24, Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Reps. Ted Budd (D-N.C.) and John Moolenaar (R-Mich.) introduced the AGC-supported Fair and Open Competition Act (bill numbers pending) that would prohibit government-mandated project labor agreements (PLAs) on direct federal (i.e., projects for federal agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, General Services Administration and Department of Veterans Affairs) and federal-aid (i.e., federally funded transportation projects for state departments of transportation) construction projects. The bill would not prohibit all PLAs, as a firm could still voluntarily enter into a PLA. The bill is in response to attempts from federal agencies…
The Associated General Contractors of America’s chief executive officer, Stephen E. Sandherr, issued the following statement in reaction to the introduction in Congress today of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021: “The proposed new immigration bill provides long-needed reforms to the nation’s flawed approach to immigration. By proposing to protect the legal status of so-called “Dreamers” and immigrants participating in the Temporary Protected Status program, the measure will allow more than 100,000 people to continue working lawfully in the construction industry. In addition, the bill’s efforts to provide a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants will, if enacted, help…
AGC of America is conducting a new coronavirus survey to determine how the pandemic has impacted operations over the past year and their expectations. The association will use the survey results to educate officials about the current state of the construction industry and advocate for additional relief measures designed to boost demand for construction. Please take the survey by the close of business on Thursday, March 4. The association will then analyze the survey answers and release the results by mid-March to members, the media and elected and appointed officials. Please contact Brian Turmail at (703) 459-0238 or brian.turmail@agc.org with any questions, comments or concerns.
AGC called on President Biden to take immediate steps to address soaring lumber prices, as well as rising costs for other construction materials. AGC CEO Steve Sandherr warned that rapidly rising lumber prices pose a growing threat to multifamily housing and other construction sectors. He urged the administration to work with domestic lumber producers to ramp up production to ease growing shortages. He also called on the President to work with Canada on a new softwood lumber agreement and eliminate existing tariffs on wood products. Sandherr also urged the administration to look for ways to facilitate shortening delivery times of lumber to…
On February 17, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced it is seeking applicants for the $889 million available through the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program to fund transportation projects, in line with the Biden Administration’s principles for national infrastructure projects that result in good-paying jobs, improve safety, apply transformative technology, and explicitly address climate change and racial equity. The Administration announced it will evaluate INFRA projects on two additional criteria 1) climate change and environmental justice, and 2) racial equity and reducing barriers to opportunity. New consideration has been given to project labor agreements and local…
On February 17, President Biden met with the leaders of the building trades unions in his effort to lay the foundation for infrastructure legislation after Congress considers a $1.9 trillion COVID-relief bill. At the meeting, the president reaffirmed his support for the National Apprenticeship Act that would provide nearly $4 billion to expand registered apprenticeships through grants and streamlining the approval process. AGC is supportive of prioritizing the apprenticeship system. However, the association will oppose all attempts to bar access to funding opportunities or other benefits when a program is not aligned with a labor union. All bona fide and high-quality registered…
On February 10, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a report finding, among other things, that fitting a cloth mask over a medical procedure mask (“double masking”) improved source control and reduced wearer exposure to contracting COVID-19. Since the report’s release, news articles have circulated that suggest double masking is now a formal recommendation by CDC. Upon review, AGC holds that these findings simply highlight the importance of a good fit to maximize overall mask performance for the user and those whom the user may encounter, and NOT a formal CDC recommendation. The CDC on February 11 updated its…