Construction Officials Urge Federal Officials to Allow Unemployment Supplements to Expire, Take Steps to address Supply-Chain Backups and Remove Tariffs on Key Materials so Firms can Perform More Work
Overall construction spending declined in May compared to the prior month, driven by continued drops in non-residential construction activity as firms struggle with supply chain disruptions, rising materials prices and labor shortages, according to an analysis of new federal construction spending data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Officials with the association called on the Biden administration to remove tariffs on key construction materials, allow unemployment supplements that are keeping people out of the workforce to expire and take steps to address supply chain backups.
“Many construction firms would likely be even busier if only they could find materials for their projects and workers for their teams,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer. “Ending a program that is basically paying people not to work will help, especially if the administration also removes tariffs that are driving prices up on key construction materials.”
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