Author: clara.kinney@agc.org

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…

CMMC requirements are expected to be included in U.S. Department of Defense contracts as soon as Nov. 10. As a result, contractors that work with the federal government must ensure that their systems and data handling meet the requirements of the DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. Compliance isn’t just a box to check; it’s essential to winning and retaining government contracts. Join AGC and Egnyte, a Capstone Sponsor, for a practical, step-by-step webinar on how to take the final steps to CMMC compliance. Experts will break down the framework into five clear, actionable steps, helping you understand where your business…

AGC of America submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday, November 3, regarding its Interim Final Rule (IFR) revising the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program. As you may recall, AGC previously reported that the IFR makes major structural changes to the DBE and Airport Concession DBE (ACDBE) programs by eliminating race- and sex-based presumptions for qualifying as a DBE and requiring all currently certified firms to be reevaluated under new standards. In its comments, AGC emphasized the need for clear federal guidance to prevent project delays, inconsistent application, and administrative overload across states. The association’s recommendations…

On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. Part of this order was a directive to the U.S. attorney general and the secretary of Homeland Security to “evaluate and undertake any lawful actions to ensure that so-called ‘sanctuary’ jurisdictions . . . do not receive access to Federal funds.” Consequently, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy issued a letter to all recipients of Depart of Transportation (DOT) funding to “clarify and reaffirm pertinent legal requirements … and to provide a reminder of your responsibilities and the consequences of noncompliance with Federal…