The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to block implementation of the Obama administration’s Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order 13673, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). The bill (H. J. Res. 37) was passed by a vote of 236-187 after ABC sent a letter to the House urging lawmakers to support it. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on a similar resolution the week of Feb. 13. 

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) today announced the finalists for its 2017 Craft Professional of the Year and Craft Instructor of the Year awards. Winners of both awards will be announced March 3 during ABC’s Workforce Week ’17 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

On Jan. 31, President Trump nominated Judge Neil Gorsuch to fill the U.S. Supreme Court seat left vacant by Justice Antonin Scalia.  Judge Gorsuch currently serves on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit and previously worked as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. 

ABC and Dexter + Chaney, a leader in cloud-based construction ERP software and developer of Spectrum® Construction Software, today announced a strategic partnership aimed at providing contractors with the technology tools they need to update their processes as their businesses grow. Dexter + Chaney joins ABC’s other strategic partners, Autodesk, CNA, Fringe Benefit Group, Tradesmen International and United Rentals.

ABC is encouraging all members to call on their Representative to support H.J. Res. 37, introduced by U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah). The resolution provides for congressional disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to invalidate the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council and U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) "blacklistin

Kentucky became the 27th Right to Work state and 21st state without a prevailing wage after Gov. Matt Bevin signed ABC-supported legislation. The free enterprise-based laws are historic victories for the merit shop platform and provide tremendous momentum at the state level to begin the 2017 legislative season.

President-elect Donald Trump named Andy Puzder as his choice to serve as Secretary of Labor Dec. 8. Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants, which owns the fast food restaurants Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, is a long-time advocate for job creation. He also served as an advisor to the Trump campaign during the presidential election. 

President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office on January 20, 2017, to formally become the 45th President of the United States. The 58th presidential inauguration involves a swearing-in ceremony at the United States Capitol, followed by a luncheon, and then a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue. For updates on the Inauguration Day festivities, visit the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies’ website.  

The U.S. Congress passed the Continuing Resolution, Stopgap Funding Bill (CR), Dec. 9 to prevent a government shutdown and continue funding for federal programs and services until April 28, 2017. The short-term spending bill maintains the current budget cap level of $1.07 trillion put into place under the Budget Control Act of 2011 and continues funding provisions included in currently enacted fiscal year 2016 Appropriations legislation. 

In a victory for taxpayers and merit shop contractors, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to reach the three-fifths majority required to override Gov. Bruce Rauner’s (R-Ill.) veto of S.B. 2964. The bill would have tied prevailing wage rates for public projects to local union rates.