Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) launched a national grassroots campaign to run concurrently with the congressional recess. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage ABC’s 22,000 members to meet with their elected representatives Aug. 3 through Sept. 8 to discuss issues and legislation important to the construction industry.
“We want to make sure that our members’ voices are heard by their congressional representatives while they are back home in their states and districts,” said ABC Director of Grassroots Chris Carroll. “Educating lawmakers on the importance of four pieces of legislation, including immigration reform, will help America’s construction contractors grow the economy and put people back to work.”
Following are the key issues in ABC’s Congressional Recess Grassroots Campaign.
Immigration Reform: Encourage members of the House of Representatives to support a bill that includes a temporary guest worker program that treats all sectors of the economy equally and does not burden the construction industry with inflexible requirements and caps, as the Senate proposal does.
ABC: Worker Cap in Immigration Reform Fails to Meet Construction Industry Needs
The American Job Protection Act (H.R. 903/S. 399): Introduced by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-La.), this bill would repeal the onerous employer mandate included in Affordable Care Act that requires businesses with 50 or more employees to provide health insurance.
ABC Calls for Repeal of Health Care Law
The Government Neutrality in Contracting Act (H.R. 436/S. 109): Introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.) and Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), this bill would protect federal and federally assisted construction contracts from union-favoring project labor agreements (PLAs) mandated by government agencies and would allow merit shop contractors and their skilled employees to have a fair chance at competing to rebuild America’s infrastructure.
The Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 1772): Introduced by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R- Va.) and Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), this bill would provide strong safe harbor protections against prosecution and penalties for employers that use the E-Verify system and have acted in good faith. It also provides protection from any vicarious/subcontract liability.
