Author: agcnews
This week, AGC of America met with the transition team at the Department of Transportation to discuss AGC’s priorities for the Trump administration. AGC discussed challenges with the recently implemented Disadvantaged Business Enterprise rule and ongoing challenges with Buy America requirements. Additionally, AGC discussed worker shortages and regulatory overreach that undermines the industry’s ability to build infrastructure. In addition, AGC CEO Jeff Shoaf held a meeting with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). This committee has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Highway Administration. During the meeting they discussed priorities for the next surface transportation…
On January 13, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council withdrew the proposed rule, “Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate-Related Financial Risk.” AGC of America submitted extensive comments explaining the significant challenges the proposal would have posed to the construction industry while advocating for commonsense and workable regulations. The proposed regulation would have introduced carbon reporting and disclosure requirements for two new categories of federal contractors: “significant contractors” and “major contractors.” Under the proposal: Had the rule been finalized, significant contractors would have been required to complete and disclose their Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions inventory within one year of publication of…
On January 15, AGC of Texas past president Seth Schulgen of Williams Brothers testified on behalf of AGC of America before the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure. Schulgen discussed the status of America’s transportation systems from the perspective of a construction company. In his testimony, Schulgen highlighted how inflation has driven up the cost of construction. Specifically, he noted that from February 2020 to November 2024 the industry experienced a: In addition to economic data, Schulgen highlighted industry optimism for the upcoming year, as noted within an AGC survey of its members, much of which is due to ongoing impacts from the Infrastructure Investment and…
The Associated General Contractors of America’s chief executive officer, Jeffrey Shoaf, issued the following statement in reaction to the decision last night by the United States Court of Federal Claims in the consolidated bid protest of MVL USA, Inc., et al.. v. United States, Case No. 24-1057, which the association facilitated as a challenge to the Biden administration’s efforts to impose project labor agreements on all federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more: “Last night’s ruling vindicates the novel approach AGC put in place to challenge the Biden administration’s unlawful project labor agreement mandate. It was and is…
Nearly two-thirds of the utility line strikes by utility contractors during the past year occurred because the lines were at least two-feet away from where they were marked after the firms called 811 before digging, according to a new survey released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the results made it clear that even though contractors are using the 811 system, utility companies need to be timelier and more accurate in marking the locations of their lines. “Contractors are doing their part to make sure they avoid striking utility lines while they are working,” said…
Construction sector employment increased by 8,000 positions in December as the industry’s headcount and wages in 2024 both rose faster than in the broader economy, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted that most contractors are optimistic about demand for projects and expect to continue adding employees in 2025 according to a new survey the association released this week. “While construction job gains have slowed lately, the industry is still adding workers at a stronger clip than the broader economy,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Construction…
As widely reported the incoming Trump Administration is planning a number of immigration actions in the early days of the new administration. While many of the most public initiatives will center around using executive power to address border security, it is likely these initiatives will be more restrictive and increase scrutiny on employers leading to increased labor shortages. This week, Congress is considering legislation that will impose stricter measures on undocumented immigrants that commit crimes. Congressional leaders plan to send these strict measures to President Trump after inauguration day and are a sign the new Congress is willing to take…
The end of the year brought about a flurry of legal decisions related to the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). As a reminder, the CTA is a law passed in 2020 that generally requires legal entities with fewer than 20 employees and $5 million to submit “beneficial ownership information” with an agency called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). Beneficial owners are defined as those who exert “substantial control” over the entity, and the required information includes the names, addresses, and a copy of identifying documents (such as a drivers license or passport) of all the beneficial owners. The deadline to file…
The start of the 119th Congress is underway and leadership in both chambers has been set. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) was reelected to lead the lower chamber, while Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) was elected to lead Republicans in the Senate. In the House of Representatives, Republicans will once again hold a narrow majority, and finding agreement among the various factions of the party will make being Speaker of the House the hardest job in Washington. In the Senate, while Republicans hold a 53-47 majority, it is still short of the 60-vote threshold to file cloture. Congressional Republicans…
New Industry Outlook Shows Firms Are Worried About Impacts of President-Elect Trump’s Trade and Immigration Policies Even as They Increase Investments in Artificial Intelligence and Other Technologies to Boost Productivity Construction contractors are optimistic about certain private-sector segments and have high hopes for most types of public-sector work, according to survey results the Associated General Contractors of America and Sage released today. Yet they have very low expectations for several private-sector market segments, remain concerned about labor shortages and are worried materials prices will climb amid threats of new tariffs, according to A Year in the Balance: The 2025 Construction…