Author: clara.kinney@agc.org
The House passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act by a strong bipartisan vote of 396-13, marking a major step for the federal housing package aimed at making single-family homes more affordable. A key area of disagreement between the House and the Senate was on a proposal to ban institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes that families could buy. This provision was included in the original Senate version of the bill but stripped out of the bill by the House. AGC weighed in on this specific provision out of concern with the unintentional consequences that this could have on…
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is moving forward with a large-scale refund process for duties collected pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), even as court decisions continue to narrow the government’s tariff authority. CBP recently updated their website with additional guidance and a Frequently Asked Questions document to help navigate the process. In CBP’s most recent update to the Court of International Trade (CIT), they reported that more than 126,000 declarations had been submitted to CBP’s online portal, over 15 million entries had passed validation for removal of IEEPA duties, and approximately 8.3 million entries had…
The U.S. House is expected to consider the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA) in the coming weeks, legislation that could significantly change the collective bargaining process for construction employers. The bill would shorten bargaining timelines and increase the use of binding arbitration if negotiations fail. AGC believes this could shift leverage away from employers, disrupt established bargaining practices, and create uncertainty for contractors. Because construction labor relations often rely on locally negotiated multi-employer agreements tailored to regional markets, AGC fears that outside arbitration panels may impose terms that do not reflect local conditions or the construction industry. The legislation could…
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee recently advanced the BUILD America 250 Act, moving Congress one step closer to replacing the current surface transportation law before it expires on September 30, 2026. While committee approval marks a significant milestone, several important steps remain before a final bill becomes law. On May 21, during the full committee markup, lawmakers also approved several amendments important to the construction industry. The amendment included language recognizing the National Electrical Manufacturers Association’s Make It American certification as evidence of compliance with Buy America requirements, incorporating roadway worker protection language AGC helped develop with industry partners,…
The US Department of Education released a final rule implementing a new policy to extend Pell Grant eligibility to workforce training programs in as short as eight weeks A Pell Grant is a need-based federal grant designed to help undergraduate students from low- or middle-income families afford college or vocational education. After more than a decade of advocacy, a provision was finally included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) requiring the Department of Education to make the change. AGC had previously joined the Jobs and Careers Coalition (JCC) in submitting comments to the Department of Education supporting the expansion of Pell Grants…
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) have released a bipartisan, five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill known as the BUILD America 250 Act. This marks one of the most significant milestones yet in the effort to replace the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) before it expires on September 30, 2026. AGC submitted a letter supporting the legislation and highlighting several provisions important to the construction industry. Among the bill’s key provisions, AGC highlighted the increased investment in roads, bridges, and transit systems, a continued emphasis on formula funding, and project delivery…
One of the key challenges surrounding the Buy America program is a lack of transparency around waiver requests. Applicants don’t know who is adjudicating the request, under what standard, or how long it will take to see some progress. AGC has spent years trying to change that status quo for contractors, including petitioning for a rulemaking back in 2024. Our latest effort to seek clarity from the implementing agencies comes in the form of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Under FOIA, agencies are required to disclose federal records, ensuring transparency and accountability…
In line with AGC of America’s recommendations last year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently provided an opportunity to recommend improvements to the Nationwide Permits (NWP) program under the Clean Water Act. Earlier this year, the Corps reissued the NWPs with limited changes to ensure their availability without disruption for those construction activities covered by the program. Nationwide permits are designed to streamline federal approvals for activities that have only minimal individual and cumulative impacts on waters of the United States. These permits help avoid the need for lengthy individual reviews for routine construction activities such as utility installation,…
Registration is officially open for the AGC of America and Construction Financial Management Association’s 2026 Construction Financial Management Conference (CFMC), in Las Vegas from October 28th through October 30th. CFMC is the premier annual event dedicated to advancing financial leadership within the construction industry. Co-hosted by AGC and the Construction Financial Management Association, CFMC brings together construction financial professionals for three days of high-impact education, peer networking, and strategic insight. The conference offers in-depth learning across accounting, finance, risk management, technology, and leadership, tailored specifically to the evolving needs of construction firms in today’s competitive market. Why You Should Attend CFMC: • Timely,…
The debate over a federal gas tax holiday intensified this week after President Trump publicly endorsed suspending federal fuel taxes in response to rising energy prices tied to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Fill out our Action Alert. To push back on that effort, AGC is launched an Action Alert encouraging members to contact their lawmakers and voice concerns about proposals that could undermine Highway Trust Fund solvency and long-term infrastructure investment. Please take 30 seconds to let your voice be heard on the importance of the gas tax for the construction industry. Engage on Social Media. Members…