Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) President and CEO Michael D. Bellaman released the following statement after Congress passed The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act:

“This is a historic day for the construction industry. For too long, ABC’s 21,000-plus members have paid the highest effective tax rate of any sector of the economy. We are a capital-intensive, cash-flow challenged, domestically oriented industry comprised mostly of small, family owned and closely held merit shop construction companies employing hardworking Americans. Our members have waited for Washington to let them keep more money in their paychecks, which would enable them to invest back in their businesses, create new jobs in their communities and grow the economy. The wait is finally over. 

“The vast majority of construction companies will benefit from the new 20 percent deduction for qualified pass-through income, bringing the top effective rate to 29.6 percent, down a full ten points. The rest will feel a boost from the largest corporate rate cut in U.S. history. Changes to various accounting methods will ease burdens for many small contractors and the doubling of the estate tax exemption to $11 million is a big win for our industry’s family businesses.

“ABC applauds Congress and the White House for delivering the first comprehensive tax reform in more than 30 years and giving our industry a simpler and fairer tax code that will lead to more economic freedom and global competitiveness.”