ABC today voiced its strong support for the Fair and Open Competition Act (S. 622). The bill, introduced by Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), will reduce costs for taxpayers by encouraging all qualified construction companies to compete for federal and federally funded construction projects. S. 622 prevents federal agencies and recipients of federal funding from requiring contractors to sign controversial project labor agreements (PLAs) as a condition of winning federal or federally assisted construction contracts. 

On March 9, the Wisconsin State Assembly approved SB3, which prohibits government-mandated project agreements (PLA) on state and local construction contracts.  The Assembly voted 64-25 to concur on the bill, following the Wisconsin State Senate’s passage of the measure by a vote of 19-13  in February. Both votes occurred along party lines.  

ABC praised President Trump for issuing an executive order requiring the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise the controversial Waters of theUnited States rule on Feb. 28. The rule had been previously been blocked under a nationwide stay issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to block implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) “Volks” final rule through the Congressional Review Act. The bill (H. J. Res. 83) was passed in a bi-partisan vote of 231-191.

ABC applauded the U.S. Senate for joining the U.S. House of Representatives in passing legislation (H.J. Res. 37) that will block implementation of the Obama administration’s controversial Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces Executive Order 13673, commonly referred to as “blacklisting,” through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). 

On Feb. 6, Missouri became the 28th Right to Work state in the country and the sixth state to take action since 2012 after Gov. Eric Greitens (R-Mo.) signed ABC-supported legislation, SB 19. ABC’s Heart of America chapter thanked the governor and key members of the legislature for their leadership in allowing workers to freely decide whether to join a labor union, a policy that will benefit all of Missouri.

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. 

Legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to repeal the prevailing wage requirements of the Davis-Bacon Act on Jan. 30 by Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa). The bill, H.R. 743, was referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

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

ABC sent letters to members of congress last week urging them to pass legislation that would bring much-needed regulatory relief to contractors. The ABC supported legislation included Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2017 (HR 26) and the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2017 (HR 21) both of which passed the U.S. the week of Jan. 2 Additionally the House of Representatives Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 (HR 5) is expected to pass the House this week.