On Oct. 5, the Small Business Administration (SBA) proposed a new rulemaking that would heighten the scrutiny on a contractor’s compliance with its small business subcontracting plan and impose additional duties on both the prime contractor and the contracting officer. The majority of these new provisions implement the AGC-opposed contracting reform provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
On Oct. 12, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on the Workforce Democracy and Fairness Act, H.R. 3094. The bill would roll back recent actions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) by blocking it from moving forward with its "quickie election" proposal as well as reverse the NLRB's recent decision opening the door for “micro-unions”.
The House and Senate both approved three bilateral free trade agreements with the countries of Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. AGC supported approval to increase demand for construction services and keep costs low for components, materials, and manufactured goods.
On Oct. 10, the administration announced a list of 14 infrastructure projects to be expedited through a permitting and environmental streamlining process. These projects are part of President Obama’s efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal permit decisions and environmental reviews in order to create jobs by moving projects quickly from conception to completion.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee met today to consider H.R. 1734, the “Civilian Property Realignment Act.” The bill, sponsored by House Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Denham (R-Calif.), would employ a Defense Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)-like process for civilian properties, reduce the federal footprint and save taxpayers billions of dollars. AGC has been working with committee staff to better understand the impact of this legislation and how the construction industry can play a large part in ensuring the success of this effort.
On Tuesday, Congressman Rahall (D-W.V.), Congressman Bishop (D-N.Y.), Congressman LaTourette (R-Ohio) and Congressman Petri (R-Wisc.) introduced the “Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act” (HR 3145). The bill includes Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) reauthorization with language similar to many of the reauthorization bills of the last few Congresses.
On Oct. 12, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing on a key component of President Obama’s America’s Jobs Act – the creation of a national infrastructure bank. The president’s infrastructure bank plan calls for a one-time appropriation to help finance transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects. AGC has long supported the creation of a national infrastructure bank as a supplement to traditional funding. We also believe the priority should be to fully fund existing programs and utilize current financing tools available to finance transportation infrastructure projects.
On Tuesday, the Senate voted 50-49 to block the president’s $447 billion jobs plan from being considered on the Senate Floor. The House has no intention of considering the president’s plan as a whole.
Take Action Today
Today, the Committee on Ways and Means approved, by unanimous consent, H.R. 674, a bill to repeal 3 percent withholding. The House is expected to vote on the bill the week of Oct. 24. AGC is asking you to contact your representative to urge them to support passage of this legislation.
Every ten years following the census, state legislatures, special commissions, courts, and occasionally the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) engage in a complex, two-step dance to redraw congressional district lines to address population shifts. AGC PAC continues to closely monitor the status of this process across the country to better position the construction industry for the 2012 election.