Author: clara.kinney@agc.org
On December 1, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released an updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that expands on the original October document and responds to several issues raised in AGC’s comment letter. The updated FAQs provide additional detail on the creation of race and gender neutral small business programs, the reevaluation process for currently certified DBEs, and additional information for personal narratives demonstrating disadvantage for certification purposes. Earlier this fall, AGC of America submitted comments to the DOT regarding its Interim Final Rule (IFR) revising the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. As previously reported, AGC emphasized the need for…
On Tuesday, December 10, the House of Representatives passed two bipartisan permitting reform bills, H.R. 573, the Studying NEPA’s Impacts on Projects Act and H.R. 4503, the ePERMIT Act. The House is also set to consider a third permitting reform bill, H.R. 3898, the PERMIT Act. UPDATE: On Dec. 11, the House advanced the PERMIT Act by a 221-205 vote. If enacted, H.R. 573 would streamline the permitting process by requiring the Center for Environmental Quality to submit to Congress an annual report on NEPA reviews, outlining civil suits filed against NEPA decisions. H.R. 4503, the ePERMIT Act, would streamline…
The NDAA is one of the few bills Congress must pass every year. It funds the United States military and covers all Department of Defense appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. The NDAA has passed for 64 continuous years, and AGC takes any attempt to add harmful construction policy to the bill very seriously. AGC has been engaged with the NDAA process throughout the year. On November 19, AGC of America sent a letter to the Senate and House of Representatives ahead of the conference that outlined key provisions to be included in the final version of the bill. As…
This week, the House and Senate Conference Committee is expected to release finalized bill text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Conference finalizes the differences between the House and Senate versions of the NDAA. After they release a finalized version of the bill, it will go to the full House and Senate for final passage before being sent to the President’s desk. The NDAA is one of the few bills Congress must undertake every year, as it funds the United States military and covers all Department of Defense appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year. Congress has passed the…
AGC recently joined the H-2B Workforce Coalition in a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL) urging their immediate release of supplemental H-2B visas for fiscal year 2026. The letter also makes a case for streamlining the application process and access to H-2B visas. The Administration has previously recognized the shortage of seasonal labor and the role the H-2B visas can play in filling these needs in certain cases by issuing Congressionally authorized supplemental visas in times of economic need. AGC hopes those policies continue. The H-2B visa program permits eligible employers to hire noncitizens to…
On Wednesday, November 19, AGC General Counsel Leah Pilconis testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the construction industry’s cost and liability concerns over the Environmental Protection Agency’s designation of two forms of PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA). AGC urges Congress to consider taking four actions to limit contractors’ PFAS liabilities: ensure CERCLA liability cannot be transferred onto contractors, direct EPA to establish clear disposal and reuse standards for PFAS waste, reduce risk around cost estimates and schedules due to PFAS and take actions to…
AGC is excited to announce that the 2026 Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) Fly-In will take place May 12–13, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. The event is expected to once again bring together construction industry leaders from across the country to engage with Congress on the importance of long-term, robust federal transportation investment. The TCC Fly-In is one of the construction industry’s most significant advocacy events. Each year, participants gather to receive updates from senior federal officials, review the latest developments in transportation policy, and participate in coordinated meetings on Capitol Hill. With work already underway toward…
For weeks AGC has been providing updates on the longest government shutdown in history and it has finally come to an end. The House and Senate voted this week to reopen the government after a compromise was reached between a group of bipartisan senators. Here is what the deal includes: The deal was ultimately reached because eight Senate Democrats broke ranks and voted with Republicans. In addition to concessions in the actual spending deal, these Democrats secured a commitment from U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to hold a vote on extending the expiring Obamacare subsidies. This is good…
The 2025 Construction Financial Management Conference (CFMC), held November 5–7 at the Park MGM in Las Vegas, brought together financial leaders from across the construction industry for three days of collaboration and education. This year’s event commemorated nearly three decades of partnership between the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and AGC, underscoring the conference’s role as a cornerstone for financial professionals navigating an evolving market landscape. Attendees gathered for sessions focused on critical topics such as succession planning, legislative updates, and the latest trends shaping construction finance. Breakout sessions were a highlight, offering deep dives into specialized areas, exploring tax…
On November 4, 2025, voters across the country reaffirmed their support for transportation investment, approving most local and regional ballot measures aimed at improving infrastructure, transit, and mobility. The initiatives ranged from local road and sidewalk upgrades to large-scale transit expansions, reflecting widespread recognition of the need for continued investment in transportation systems. Among the most notable wins were Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, who approved a 1-percent sales tax increase dedicating 60 percent of revenue to public transit improvements. Voters in Columbus, Ohio, overwhelmingly supported a $400 million bond measure to upgrade streets and sidewalks. The bond measure was part…