Author: agcnews

On January 29, 2025, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy signed an order emphasizing the agency’s commitment to grounding its policies, grants, and loans in sound economic principles and analysis supported by cost-benefit requirements and data-driven decision making. This memo aligns with the administration’s broader agenda to bolster economic development and support American families by prioritizing tangible outcomes. In addition to its focus on economic analysis, the order also highlights societal factors such as immigration enforcement, marriage rates, birth rates, and vaccine mandates as key considerations in U.S. DOT’s decision-making for all grants, loans, and contracts. While it’s…

With additional tariffs being placed on China in February 2025 and possible new tariffs ahead for Mexican and Canadian imports in March of 2025, AGC has developed a resource center for contractors navigating tariff challenges. This center includes a tariff memo that highlights important information on how the administration’s trade policies affect the construction industry. AGC is continuously developing resources, educating the construction community, and advocating for contractors on key issues related to these policies. New resources will be added and updated regularly to help contractors stay informed and navigate tariff-related challenges. For additional information, please contact Deniz Mustafa or…

On January 31st, a second judge with the U.S. District Court ordered the White House to pause its federal spending freeze. This latest decision was after the Trump administration had already rescinded the memo. The judge still ordered the pause pointing to comments on X from the White House Press Secretary stating that the freeze would “remain in full force and effect and will be rigorously implemented” even after the White House had rescinded the memo. Then on February 3rd, a third judge, U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan halted the federal funding freeze and ordered the federal government to…

A construction site. A life-or-death moment. When two crew members at a Dimeo Construction Company project overdosed, quick thinking and preparedness saved their lives. Thanks to a superintendent who didn’t hesitate and EMTs who were ready, the right actions were taken at the right time—highlighting the critical need for Naloxone on every job site. Their powerful stories serve as a reminder that emergencies can happen anywhere, and having the proper training and resources can mean the difference between life and death. Watch the video to see why safety isn’t just about hard hats and harnesses—it’s about being ready for anything.

Construction employment increased in 244, or 68 percent, of 358 metro areas between December 2023 and December 2024, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials cautioned, however, that most firms reported having a hard time finding enough qualified workers to hire even before the new Trump administration began to curtail work authorizations, among other measures. “Construction firms are doing all they can to recruit and retain as many workers as possible to keep pace with demand,” said Jeffrey Shoaf the association’s chief executive officer. “But it is hard when…

Construction spending rose slightly from November to December thanks to growing demand for single-family houses and data centers, according to an analysis of a new government report that the Associated General Contractors of America released today. Association officials noted, however, that a flurry of recently announced tariffs during the weekend and today could impact future construction spending. “Despite declines in a few segments, construction demand remains relatively strong,” said Jeffrey Shoaf, the chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. “But increasing the cost of a range of construction materials will prompt contractors to raise bid prices, potentially…

The Latest: On Thursday, January 29, President Trump rescinded the memo, dated January 27th, ordering the temporary “pause” of federal funds. In short, this “pause” would have impacted both direct federal and federal-aid programs that provide funding for construction projects across the country. The “pause” which was set to take effect at 5 p.m. on January 28th would have added uncertainty to schedules for all grant programs. While the memo has now been rescinded, the White House continues to state that the “pause” still applies to programs impacted by executive orders, like electric vehicle charging stations, which AGC reported on…

Last week, Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) introduced the Main Street Tax Certainty Act in the House and Senate, which would make the 20-percent Section 199A qualified small business income deduction permanent. Making this deduction permanent was identified by AGC members as the top priority for 2025, as it is set to expire at the end of the year. Notably, the legislation was cosponsored in the House by all Republican members of the Ways and Means Committee, and by Senate Majority Leader Thune (R-S.D.) in the Senate. In total, the legislation already has 155 cosponsors in the House, and 42…

On January 20th, President Donald Trump said in an Oval Office signing ceremony that his administration would be enacting sweeping tariffs. During President Trump’s first term in office, he imposed wide ranging tariffs on a variety of imported products. Tariffs have long been a critical tool in U.S. trade policy, affecting the construction industry in both direct and indirect ways. These measures are aimed at addressing trade imbalances and incentivizing domestic production, but they also carry risks of escalating costs, retaliatory trade measures, and further complicating global supply chains. For construction contractors, such policies could lead to stockpiling of materials,…

On January 29, 2025, the U.S. Senate confirmed Sean Duffy as the new Secretary of Transportation, following a nomination hearing held on January 15. Duffy was sworn into office shortly after the confirmation, marking the beginning of his tenure overseeing the nation’s transportation policies and infrastructure projects. In a letter to the Senate, AGC highlighted Duffy’s extensive experience and commitment to improving the country’s transportation systems. In the letter, AGC emphasized the importance of Duffy’s role in implementing the remaining funding and projects under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and expressed optimism that Duffy would direct funding toward…