Author: clara.kinney@agc.org
The House and Senate have begun undertaking reauthorization of the “Water Resources Development Act” (WRDA). WRDA must be reauthorized every two years, and it provides critical funding for our nation’s water resources infrastructure. The bill is traditionally passed with broad bipartisan support and ensures the United States’ ability to engage in the robust economic activity that sustains and supports Americans working in all sectors of the economy. AGC of America has published recommendations that Congress should consider when crafting the next WRDA. Our recommendations call for Congress to: A detailed list with more information on AGC’s WRDA priorities may be…
In previous installments of AGC’s Road to Reauthorization series, we examined the Highway Trust Fund, funding structures, and financing tools. Equally critical to the next reauthorization is ensuring that the men and women building our nation’s infrastructure are better protected in highway work zones. An AGC survey found that 60% of highway contractors reported motor vehicle crashes in their work zones during the past year. Even more concerning, 98% reported that work zones are either as dangerous or more dangerous than they were a year ago. While federal agencies have taken steps to improve roadway safety, too often the focus…
The application of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) to federal and federally assisted construction projects often leaves many contractors uncertain about the requirements of federal prevailing wage laws and the consequences of non-compliance. Failure to comply puts covered contractors at risk of catastrophic consequences, from losing money on contracts due to failure to understand labor costs, to high-dollar back pay and related penalties, to debarment from future federal work. This three-part webinar series seeks to help such contractors avoid these risks by educating staff responsible for DBRA compliance and administration on coverage, requirements, pitfalls, and enforcement of these laws.…
On Feb. 12, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reversed the 2009 endangerment finding for greenhouse gases (GHG) and thereby eliminated the basis of their authority to set related emissions standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines. The final rule rescinds the standards for model year (MY) 2012 through those set for beyond MY 2027. In coming years, contractors may see lower sticker prices for newer vehicles. However, it is unclear whether manufacturers will continue fuel saving measures absent the standards. EPA estimates the move will deliver over $1.3 trillion in regulatory relief including $2,400 off the cost…
In the first two installments of AGC’s Road to Reauthorization series, the focus was on the Highway Trust Fund and the structure of federal transportation funding. A third critical piece of the conversation is how projects are financed when federal dollars alone are not enough. Innovative financing tools can help states and local governments move projects forward by improving cash flow and attracting private-sector investment, particularly for large or complex projects. However, these tools are not replacements for federal funding. Financing mechanisms must be paid back using reliable revenue sources and are only effective when paired with strong, predictable federal…
As part of AGC of America’s continued engagement with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) leadership, AGC met with Jonathan Morrison, Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), on Monday, February 9, to discuss shared priorities related to roadway and work zone safety. The meeting follows AGC’s recent discussion with Federal Highway Administration Administrator Sean McMaster on similar safety and data challenges. The conversation centered on elevating work zone safety as a national safety priority and recognizing the public’s driving behavior near active construction zones. Because work zones often require motorists to slow down, merge, or change lanes, AGC…
President Donald Trump has announced his nomination of Kevin Warsh to succeed Jerome Powell as chair of the Federal Reserve when Powell’s term ends in May 2026. Warsh previously served on the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors from 2006 to 2011 and has recently emphasized policy approaches to balance sheets and inflation risks that differ from current Fed leadership. Why the Federal Reserve Chair Matters to Construction Federal Reserve leadership influences interest rates, credit conditions, and construction investment, while also shaping expectations around inflation and balance-sheet policy that affect long-term yields and lending standards. These policy signals flow through the…
On February 3rd, the House of Representatives passed, and President Trump signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act. This came after a brief, partial government shutdown due to Congress missing the January 30th deadline. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, or H.R. 7148, includes funding for programs critical to construction at the Departments of Defense, Labor, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development. Because of the importance to construction, AGC issued a key vote urging lawmakers to support the legislation. The funding provided by this legislation will ensure contractors can help rebuild our nation’s infrastructure, including roads, bridges, airports, transit systems,…
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) announced that they will make an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year 2026. All of these supplemental visas will be available only to those American businesses that are suffering or will suffer impending irreparable harm, i.e., those facing permanent and severe financial loss, as attested by the employer. These supplemental visas will be distributed in three allocations based on the petitioner’s start date of need through the end of the fiscal year. The H-2B program allows U.S. employers who meet specific regulatory requirements to…
In Part 1 of AGC’s Road to Reauthorization series, the focus was on the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund and the need for a sustainable funding foundation. Equally important, however, is how those federal dollars are structured and delivered once they reach states and project sponsors. The balance between formula and discretionary funding will play a major role in determining how quickly and effectively projects move forward. Contractors and project owners know that transportation needs vary widely from state to state and community to community. Prescriptive, one-size-fits-all solutions often fail to reflect local conditions, yet contractors are frequently…