On Aug. 2, President Donald J. Trump announced his support for S. 354, the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy (RAISE) Act. The bill, which was introduced in February by Sens. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and David Perdue (R-Ga.), addresses the number of green cards issued each year and creates a merit-based immigration system that replaces the current permanent employment visa framework.

On Aug. 2, the U.S. Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Marvin Kaplan to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The Senate voted 50-48 to confirm Kaplan’s position to serve on the five-member board for a term expiring on Aug. 27, 2020.

Eight ABC members joined more than 100 small business owners at the White House this week for an event highlighting small businesses, “The Engine of the American Dream.” At the event, President Trump highlighted his administration’s commitment to instituting policies that allow small businesses to flourish in America and spotlighted the important contributions that small businesses make to the American economy. 

Eight of the nation's top 10 construction companies are ABC members, according to Engineering News-Record’s recently published annual list of Top 400 Contractors. The firms were ranked based on 2016 revenue.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Wage and Hour Division recently published a Request for Information (RFI) related to the overtime final rule. This is likely the first step in issuing a revised proposed overtime exemption rule. The public has the opportunity to submit comments on the RFI until Sept. 25, 2017.

During the early hours of July 28, Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted “no” on the Senate Republican’s “skinny repeal” proposal, a scaled-back version of previously supported Senate Republican Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal bills, which failed by a vote of 49 to 51. If the vote on final passage had been successful, it would likely have triggered a conference committee with the House of Representatives whereby the chambers would have tried to resolve their legislative differences. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.Y) statement on the failed vote can be read here. &a

During ABC Legislative Week 2017, ABC launched a video, “Be a Hero: Download the ABC Action App” to encourage construction advocates to download the mobile app and advance the merit shop message on Capitol Hill. Now members can share the video as well. 

On July 25, the U.S. Senate voted to begin debate on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Senate voted 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking the tie, in support of moving forward with debate on H.R. 1628, the American Health Care Act. In advance of the vote, ABC sent a key vote letter urging senators to vote “yes” on the motion to proceed. The Senate will now move forward with 20 hours of debate and most likely vote on dozens of amendments.

Last week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a newly-revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, which will be made mandatory starting Sept. 18, 2017. Employers may use the revised version immediately (revision date of 7/17/17 N), but may also continue to use Form I-9 with a revision date of 11/14/16 N through Sept. 17.

Last month, the U. S. District Court for the District of New Jersey found that a 2007 Jersey City ordinance requiring project labor agreements (PLAs) on private projects receiving tax abatements is preempted by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).