More than 500 ABC members and chapter staff are in Washington, D.C., for ABC’s 2022 Legislative Week, meeting with leaders on Capitol Hill to advocate for fair and open competition and fight the Protecting the Right to Organize Act, project labor agreement mandates and burdensome regulations. Highlights of the fly-in included keynotes from Rep. Steve Scalise, R- La., House minority whip, and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who spoke in favor of free markets and condemned the Biden administration’s regulatory overreach and the PRO Act.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, R-Va., Gov. Bill Lee, R-Tenn., and Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate Rebecca Kleefisch addressed attendees via video messages. “As job creators, small and large business owners and leaders, thank you for all you do to build America,” said Gov. Youngkin. “The construction industry is the cornerstone of the American economy. The strength and future success of America will be secure if we hold to the spirit and ideals your organization promotes. I applaud ABC and its members for your commitment to fair and open competition.”

Attendees also received briefings on the current political landscape, the 2022 election cycle and ABC’s political advocacy efforts, in addition to rallying around the principles of the merit shop at the Free Enterprise Alliance reception.

The annual event kicked off on Monday, June 13, with ABC’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Summit, where ABC chapters and members spoke about their challenges and successes building a diverse, inclusive workforce. Featured speakers were Rick C. Wade, vice president of strategic alliances and outreach at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who discussed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the opportunities it can provide for diverse contractors; Pastor Corey B. Brooks, founder and CEO of Project H.O.O.D. Communities, who spoke about his efforts to inspire a new generation of diverse builders and transform his community; and ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu, who explained how inclusion, diversity and equity can foster economic growth.

Don’t miss briefings on legal and regulatory developments for merit shop contractors and attorneys on Thursday, June 23, at the ABC Virtual Legal Conference. Learn more about this event at legalconference.abc.org.