On Jan. 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, by a bipartisan vote of 227-203. ABC supported the legislation, which would eliminate the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate on health care workers and repeal the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services health care staff vaccination rule that continues to affect ABC members who perform construction work at health care facilities. ABC provided a statement in support of the bill ahead of passage:

“Associated Builders and Contractors has consistently opposed the Biden administration’s insistence on imposing unnecessary and overreaching COVID-19 vaccination mandates on our nation’s construction workforce,” said Kristen Swearingen, ABC’s Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ABC member employers consistently demonstrated their commitment and willingness to create safe and healthy jobsite conditions because health and safety are always our No. 1 priority. H.R.497 would eliminate unnecessary compliance costs and burdens imposed on contractors that provide vital services to our nation’s hospitals and health care facilities and would ensure work opportunities for thousands of experienced, skilled construction workers throughout the country.”