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As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting your livelihood and setting the stage for a bright future, MCAA has secured the services of Longbow Public Policy Group to advise our MCAA Government Affairs Committee (GAC). GAC Chair, Jim Gaffney will be passing along information relative to our industry on a regular basis.

On Monday, March 30, 2026 MCAA Lobbying Firm, Longbow Public Policy Group provided the following information:

Trump Administration

• Last Friday, President Trump issued a memorandum directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to use available funds to continue paying Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during the ongoing DHS shutdown, citing national security concerns and disruptions during peak travel for Spring Break and Easter. Following issuance of the memorandum, DHS said that TSA officers will begin receiving paychecks as early as today. The President announced this executive action last Thursday night shortly before the Senate unanimously approved a measure to fund DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement and parts of Customs and Border Protection involved in immigration enforcement. Last Friday, however, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) rejected the Senate-passed bill, and the House instead passed a bill funding all components of DHS through May 22, 2026. Democratic Representatives Henry Cuellar (TX), Don Davis (NC), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) joined all Republicans in supporting the bill. The House did this knowing that the Senate had already left D.C. for a two-week Easter/Passover recess and would not be back until April 13, 2026. Moreover, Senate Democrats have already signaled that they will not allow the House bill to advance in the Senate. Before the House departed for its Easter recess, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) released a bipartisan compromise called the Bipartisan ICE Reform Act of 2026 to fully fund all components of DHS while imposing new limits on immigration enforcement, including requirements for immigration enforcement officers to wear body cameras and visible identification, satisfy warrant requirements for certain enforcement actions, and curtail operations at sensitive locations, like churches, courts, and hospitals. So the funding lapse continues for DHS, but TSA agents will be paid while the standoff continues. Amidst the funding standoff, the Senate confirmed and President Trump swore in to office new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

• Oil and gas prices continued to rise and the stock market sold off last week as the conflict in Iran continued. President Trump told aides he wants to conclude the war within four to six weeks and extended his pause on attacking Iran’s energy infrastructure until April 6^th despite Tehran rejecting the Administration’s ceasefire proposal and continuing attacks on Israel, Gulf Arab states, and U.S. military bases in the Middle East. Iran told mediators that it views U.S. peace efforts as trick as additional U.S. Marines and paratroopers arrive in the region and the Pentagon develops options for a potential “final blow” if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and negotiations fail. Republican lawmakers are starting to question the Administration’s plans in Iran after it requested the reprogramming of $1.5 billion to replenish missile interceptors depleted by the conflict and Trump Administration briefings provided no clear answers on the President’s ultimate strategy for the conflict. House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers (R-AL) warned the Defense Department could lose congressional support unless it is more transparent with Congress about operations in Iran and related troop deployments. New polling shows declining public support for the conflict, with President Trump’s approval falling to 36%. Only about 35% of those polled support the ongoing conflict and about 61% oppose it. Moreover, just 25% approve of President Trump’s response to cost-of-living concerns as the conflict causes gas prices to rise,  prompts inflation forecasts to be revised upward and import prices to increase.

• MCAA members who are federal contractors or subcontractors need to know that President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) last Thursday mandating that federal departments and agencies include clauses in contracts and contract-like instruments prohibiting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)-related practices in hiring, training, and contracting. The MCAA policy team reviewed the EO and wants to be sure members are aware that it specifically bans disparate treatment based on race or ethnicity in recruitment, hiring, promotions, participation in training or mentorship programs, and the selection of vendors or subcontractors. This extends to banning disparate treatment in “participation in, or access or admission to: training, mentoring, or leadership development programs; educational opportunities; clubs; associations; or similar opportunities that are sponsored or established by the contractor or subcontractor.” The order requires federal contractors to provide access to records and information so the government can confirm compliance, monitor subcontractor compliance, and report known or suspected violations. Federal contractors are also required to flow these requirements down through their subcontractors. The order also makes compliance with the DEI prohibition material to federal payment decisions under the False Claims Act and authorizes contract termination, suspension, or debarment for violations. The EO requires the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue implementing guidance and direct the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement of this order. The EO also compels the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council to update the Federal Acquisition Regulations to incorporate these prohibitions across federal procurements. The MCAA policy team will be watching for the forthcoming OMB implementation guidance and FAR Council revisions for federal acquisition regulations related to this EO. A White House fact sheet on the EO is available here.

• Last Wednesday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a temporary emergency fuel waiver allowing nationwide summer sales of ethanol-blended E15 gasoline and removing federal enforcement of state “boutique fuel” requirements in order to increase fuel supply and provide price relief ahead of the summer driving season. The waiver, effective May 1 through May 20, 2026, temporarily suspends low-volatility (Reid Vapor Pressure) limits and blending restrictions, allowing gasoline with 9% to 15% ethanol content to be produced and distributed under a uniform federal standard. U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the agency is prepared to extend the waiver if fuel supply conditions warrant. The EPA action followed Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) saying last Tuesday that he would support including a provision authorizing year-round sales of higher ethanol blends such as E15 in the forthcoming Farm Bill, provided the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee agrees. Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) also voiced support for expanding year-round E15 sales.

• MCAA members should be aware that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is considering updates to its enforcement framework that could change how violations are identified and penalized. Last Tuesday, PHMSA issued a request for stakeholder comments on potential updates to its Section 4 Administrative Enforcement Processes, which outline each stage of the agency’s enforcement framework from case initiation through closure. The agency said the review marks the first formal opportunity in roughly a decade to provide transparent input on the document. PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety will accept feedback for 30 days at phmsaenforcement@dot.gov and plans to publish a red-lined version reflecting any revisions, noting that comments relied upon to support any edits may be made public.

• As the MCAA continues engaging with the Department of Labor (DOL) on its highly publicized efforts to implement President Trump’s Executive Order to create 1 million new active apprentices by 2029, we wanted to share data from DOL showing that the effort is faltering. Data released last Monday showed in fiscal year 2025, the number of active registered apprentices actually declined for the first time in a decade to 700,388, down from 702,191 the prior fiscal year. The Trump Administration has already scaled back its pledge to create one million new apprentices to the less ambitious goal of having one million active apprentices by 2029. The data comes as embattled Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer struggles with an ongoing Inspector General investigation as she continues touring the nation touting President Trump’s executive order and the virtues of registered apprenticeship.

• Last Monday, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service requested public recommendations for items to be included in the 2026–2027 Priority Guidance Plan, which the agencies use to identify and prioritize tax issues they intend to address during the period from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Recommended items may include priorities that can be addressed through regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other published administrative guidance. Recommendations must be submitted by Friday, May 29, 2026, to be considered for inclusion in the plan. Commenters are not required to use a particular format but should briefly describe the recommended guidance, explain the need for it, and may include an analysis of how the issue should be resolved. For recommendations to modify, streamline, or withdraw existing regulations or other guidance, taxpayers are encouraged to explain how the proposed changes would reduce taxpayer costs or administrative burdens, improve tax administration, or address issues identified in President Trump’s Executive Order 14219, Sections 2(a)(i)–(vii), which concern regulations that may be unconstitutional or unlawful, reflect an improper interpretation of statutory authority, address significant matters without clear authorization, impose unjustified costs on the private sector, hinder technological innovation, or create undue burdens on small businesses. Commenters proposing more than one guidance project are asked to rank their recommendations in order of importance.

Congress

• As the MCAA continues discussions on Capitol Hill to advance federal permitting reform to speed the build out of data centers and the energy infrastructure needed to power them, last Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) laid out Democrats’ energy policy plans in the event that they retake the majority in Congress. On data centers, Schumer said Democrats will push for “strong, enforceable consumer protections” instead of President Trump’s voluntary “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” signed by several big tech companies to prevent increased consumer electricity costs from data centers. Schumer also endorsed the creation of a “prize-based innovation program” for breakthroughs that make data centers more efficient and emphasized the need for data centers to “pay their fair share” as part of broader efforts to lower costs and protect consumers. He also called for speeding up permit approvals for “climate-friendly” energy sources, upgrading the electric grid, and providing “systematic protection for consumers from rising prices.” Finally, Schumer said Democrats also want to boost credits for geothermal and nuclear energy and reinstate tax credits for wind and solar power terminated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The vision Schumer outlined tracks closely with the Energy Bills Relief Act that we reported on last week that was introduced in the House with 120 Democratic cosponsors. Schumer’s remarks come as congressional Republicans begin preparing a second budget reconciliation bill that could include permitting reforms, although that effort faces challenges given Republicans’ narrow House majority and opposition from members such as Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who have said they will oppose the package if it includes cuts to social services. The MCAA policy team remains engaged in bipartisan Senate permitting reform negotiations while also working in parallel with House leaders to determine what discrete permitting reforms may be viable under the unique rules of the budget reconciliation process the House is initiating.

• Highlighting a schism among congressional Democrats over how to deal with data center development and the concerns it raises, last Wednesday, progressive lawmakers Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced the Artificial Intelligence Data Center Moratorium Act.  In contrast to the Energy Bills Relief Act and Senator Schumer’s vision, this legislation would impose a nationwide halt to the construction or expansion of large AI data centers until Congress enacts comprehensive federal safeguards governing AI safety, worker protections, consumer risks, environmental impacts, and civil rights issues associated with AI. Under the bill, once these issues are addressed and data center construction resumes, developers would be required to use union labor, pay prevailing wages, utilize project labor agreements, and employ registered apprentices. New data centers that get taxpayer subsidies would also be prohibited from increasing electricity costs or environmental impacts in surrounding communities. The bill would further require federal review and approval of AI products before they are deployed, establish policies aimed at preventing job displacement, and mandate the sharing of AI-related economic gains. The bill expands federal transparency and reporting requirements on data center energy use, emissions, water consumption, financing, and workforce impacts. It also restricts exports of advanced U.S.-origin AI chips and computing hardware to countries that lack comparable AI safety, labor, and environmental protections. A section-by-section on the bill is available here.

• MCAA members should be aware of newly proposed bipartisan legislation that could affect business transactions in construction and other industries by increasing the taxes associated with certain mergers and acquisitions. Last Wednesday, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) introduced the Stop Subsidizing Giant Mergers Act, which would amend the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate tax-free treatment for certain corporate reorganizations involving companies with combined average annual gross receipts exceeding $500 million over the prior three years. The proposal would apply to a range of merger, acquisition, and asset-transfer transactions and could alter deal structures and investment incentives across industries, including construction. This legislation is not new. Senator Whitehouse introduced it in 2024 with then-Senator JD Vance (R-OH) as the original GOP cosponsor.

• Following Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) resignation from the Senate last week to assume his new role as Secretary of Homeland Security, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) appointed Alan Armstrong, the former CEO of Williams Cos., to temporarily fill the Senate vacancy. Armstrong will only be in office for the remainder of this year. But given his background leading one of the nation’s largest natural gas processing and transportation businesses, we are hopeful he will be supportive of MCAA’s permitting reform efforts and continuing work to unwind decarbonization initiatives from the last Administration. Under Oklahoma law, Armstrong is not permitted to run in the November special election to fill the vacancy created by Secretary Mullin’s resignation. Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK), who has been endorsed by President Trump, is the leading Republican candidate for the seat in the November special election.

• There were some developments in races for the U.S. Senate last week. In Maine, a new poll found Democrat Graham Platner leading Governor Janet Mills (D) 55% – 28% in the state’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary. In Texas, a new poll found Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) leading incumbent Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) 48.8% – 41.3% in the state’s Republican Senate runoff. In Pennsylvania, former Representative Susan Wild (D-PA) is being urged to challenge Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) in 2028, as Democrats’ frustration with Fetterman reached new heights following his vote last week to confirm Markwayne Mullin to be the Secretary of Homeland Security.

• There were several developments in races for the U.S. House of Representatives last week. In Missouri, the state Supreme Court ruled 4-3 to uphold the Legislature’s mid-decade congressional redistricting plan, allowing the new map to be used in the 2026 midterm elections and positioning Missouri’s 5th Congressional District, currently held by Representative Emmanuel Cleaver (D), as a likely Republican pickup.In Florida, the state’s Republican congressional delegation is growing concerned about an aggressive mid-decade redistricting push after Democrats last week flipped a Palm Beach County state House district Trump carried by roughly 11 points in 2024—raising concerns new maps could weaken GOP incumbents ahead of the midterms as Latino voters appear to be abandoning the GOP. Last week, the Adjudicatory Subcommittee of the House Ethics Committee found merit in 25 of 27 allegations against Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) related to misuse of federal COVID-19 relief funds to finance her campaign and buy jewelry and other personal items. When the House returns from its April recess, the full Ethics Committee will hold a hearing to determine what, if any, sanction(s) to recommend, which may include expulsion from the House. In Utah, a Trump-backed effort to repeal the state’s anti-gerrymandering law will not appear on the November ballot after failing to meet signature requirements, preserving the state’s independent redistricting system and current court-ordered congressional map that creates one new Democratic-leaning district in Salt Lake City.

Around the Country

• MCAA members in Maryland are likely already aware of the federal court ruling upholding Montgomery County, Maryland’s all-electric building mandate. Last Thursday, a federal judge upheld the ordinance, ruling that the county’s ban on gas appliances in new construction is not preempted by the federal Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) because the ordinance does not regulate how appliances use energy, but instead bans a category of appliances altogether. Industry groups that challenged the ordinance say the decision departs from earlier federal court rulings citing EPCA to strike down laws curtailing or banning gas appliances. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect by the end of 2026.

• MCAA members operating in Florida should be aware that last Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded almost $1.7 billion in supplemental appropriations to Florida to improve water infrastructure resiliency and to address lingering issues from Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Approximately $844 million will be allocated to Florida’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) to make low-interest loans for the planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects and $806 million will be allocated to its Clean Water SRF for the planning, design, and construction of eligible treatment works improvement projects. Additionally, Florida received $35 million for its Clean Water SRF to improve the resilience of septic systems and assess and connect homes served by septic systems to centralized wastewater systems.

• Legal challenges tied to methane leaks in aging gas distribution systems are increasing regulatory scrutiny and could accelerate pipeline replacement activity in some markets. A federal magistrate judge in Massachusetts last Wednesday recommended allowing portions of a citizen lawsuit against National Grid to proceed, including claims under the federal Pipeline Safety Act alleging ongoing safety violations tied to methane leaks in the company’s metro Boston gas distribution network, as well as state law claims related to damage to public shade trees. According to plaintiffs, surveys identified numerous leak locations posing potential explosion risks, contributing to tree loss and urban heat impacts, and highlighting concerns about the condition of aging pipeline infrastructure. The recommendation now goes to a district court judge, who will determine whether to adopt the ruling and allow the case to move forward.

• MCAA members that work on gas distribution systems should be aware of new federal funding opportunities for pipeline replacement and modernization projects, as well pro-labor factors that will be considered in deciding grant awards. Last Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced $98 million in available funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization (NGDISM) grant program, which provides funding for city- and community-owned utilities to repair, replace, or modernize aging, leak-prone gas distribution pipeline systems. This is the final year of the NGDISM program. Per the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), as part of its application review process, PHMSA will assess whether and how project applicants include union participation and project labor agreements (PLAs). In the NOFO, PHMSA explains that PLAs “promote cost-effectiveness and open competition.” Note, however that the NOFO also says grant applicants must certify that they do not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in violation of federal anti-discrimination laws as interpreted by the Trump Justice Department. Applications are due by May 22, 2026.

• MCAA members on the West Coast should be aware that last Tuesday, California filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the Trump Administration from using the Defense Production Act to force the restart of the Santa Ynez Unit pipeline system off the Santa Barbara coast. State officials argue the order exceeds federal authority and improperly overrides state permitting requirements, while the Trump Administration maintains the action is justified by energy security concerns amid rising fuel prices due to the conflict in Iran.

• The Trump Administration continues to shift federal energy priorities away from offshore wind development and toward expanded oil and natural gas production, as evidenced by the Interior Department’s announcement last Monday of an agreement with TotalEnergies under which the company will abandon planned offshore wind development off North Carolina and New York. TotalEnergies pledged to invest $1 billion in the construction of the Rio Grande LNG export facility in Texas, the expansion of shale gas production, and the development of conventional offshore oil resources in the Gulf of America. The federal government will reimburse TotalEnergies the roughly $1 billion the company previously paid in offshore wind lease fees after the new fossil fuel investments are made.

• MCAA health plan administrators and contributing employers should be aware of new litigation challenging pharmacy pricing practices that could affect prescription drug costs for employer-sponsored benefit plans. The Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund recently filed a class-action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio alleging Kroger pharmacies overcharged employer health plans by excluding lower cash-pay prices from “usual and customary” rates reported on required forms. The complaint cites significant pricing disparities, including claims the plan paid $938 for the psoriasis drug acitretin while cash-pay customers were charged $174, $480 for the ulcerative colitis drug Apriso compared with $115 in cash pricing, and $362 for the opioid overdose reversal drug naloxone versus a $23 cash price. The fund alleges the pricing practices resulted in tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in excess costs and asserts claims including fraud, unjust enrichment, and violations of state laws, while seeking reimbursement and an order requiring Kroger to include cash prices in its rate calculations going forward.

As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting your livelihood and setting the stage for a bright future, MCAA has secured the services of Longbow Public Policy Group to advise our MCAA Government Affairs Committee (GAC). GAC Chair, Jim Gaffney will be passing along information relative to our industry on a regular basis.

On Monday, March 23, 2026 MCAA Lobbying Firm, Longbow Public Policy Group provided the following information:

Trump Administration

• As military operations in Iran continued last week, the Pentagon is preparing a supplemental funding request exceeding $200 billion to sustain military operations and replenish depleted weapons stockpiles, setting up a likely congressional battle over additional war funding. Even Trump allies in Congress like Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) are skeptical of such a large supplemental request and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called the request “preposterous” and “unacceptable,” noting that $200 billion is more than the U.S. spent at the height of the war in Iraq. Some Republicans think a second reconciliation bill that can be passed on a party line vote is the only way to advance additional war funding. Meanwhile, oil and gas prices continued to rise with the national average for regular gasoline hovering around $4 per gallon and diesel over $5.00 per gallon. To stem these rising fuel prices, the President announced a 60-day waiver of the Jones Act allowing foreign-flagged vessels to transport commodities between U.S. ports. The Administration is also considering lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea to keep oil and gas prices down, but denied that it is considering restricting U.S. oil and gas exports. Iran continued targeting energy infrastructure across the Middle East, knocking out about 17% of Qatar’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity, damage that officials say will sideline roughly 12.8 million tons of LNG per year from global markets for three to five years while repairs are completed. Amid the widening energy shock, the International Energy Agency is urging governments, businesses, and households to adopt short-term demand-reduction measures such as expanded telework, lower highway speed limits, greater use of public transportation and ride-sharing, and reduced business air travel, arguing that behavioral and policy changes may be needed alongside supply-side interventions to stabilize global fuel markets.

• The MCAA policy team was busy last Friday analyzing the potential infrastructure development ramifications of President Trump’s “National AI Legislative Framework” that makes recommendations to Congress for a law establishing a single federal standard governing artificial intelligence and to generally preempt the creation of a patchwork of “cumbersome” state-level AI regulations. While the Framework generally calls for preempting state laws on AI, there are exceptions. For example, the Framework says that a national standard should not preempt state and local zoning laws or local determinations about the location of AI infrastructure. The President’s Framework urges Congress to enact streamlined permitting processes for the construction and operation of data centers and related infrastructure to “accelerate AI infrastructure buildout and enhance grid reliability.” This broad proposal is consistent with the permitting reforms MCAA has been advocating. It also calls for any AI legislation to aid in developing an AI-ready workforce. The President also called on Congress to enact into law the “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” proposal from his State of the Union Address that seeks to prevent increased consumer electricity costs from data centers.

• Last week, the Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) rolled out two new initiatives. Last Wednesday, OSHA launched its “OSHA Cares” initiative, an agency-wide compliance assistance effort aimed at helping businesses better understand and meet federal workplace safety requirements. The program is designed to expand access to OSHA experts and compliance assistance specialists, improve the availability of training and educational resources, and promote more consistent support for employers during inspections and enforcement meetings. As part of the program, OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs will implement a training initiative to standardize how OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officers provide real-time guidance to employers during workplace inspections. Rollout of the OSHA Cares initiative followed the announcement last Monday of OSHA’s new Safety Champions Program, a cooperative initiative aimed at helping employers strengthen workplace safety and health practices. The voluntary program has three tiers—Introductory, Intermediate, and Advanced—aligned with OSHA’s recommended safety management principles, including hazard identification, worker participation, training, and program evaluation. Employers may participate independently or with guidance from safety experts.

• As the MCAA continues to engage the Trump Administration on our shared priority of expanding domestic nuclear energy, we learned last week that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering drafting a rule that would replace its long-standing “as low as reasonably achievable” (ALARA) radiation protection standard with a less rigid system focused on fixed dose limits and targeted exceptions. The proposal, which could apply across NRC-regulated nuclear power plants, fuel cycle facilities, and medical and industrial users of radioactive materials, is part of a broader Trump Administration effort to accelerate and reduce the cost of developing nuclear power. There is concern that weakening the foundational ALARA safety principle could increase public health risks associated with nuclear energy. The NRC is working towards releasing a proposed rule for public comment by the end of April.

• MCAA members with work that has been impacted by the Trump Administration’s pauses on federal funding for infrastructure and other federally supported activity should be aware that last Tuesday, the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld a lower court injunction blocking the Administration from freezing $3 trillion dollars in federal financial assistance. The court held that the Office of Management and Budget’s directive to pause spending while reviewing programs for alignment with the President’s executive orders and priorities was likely improper and failed to consider the reliance interests of funding recipients.

• MCAA members involved in shipbuilding, repair, and maintenance for the U.S. Navy may be interested in a $71 million Navy contract announced last Tuesday with Pittsburgh-based Gecko Robotics to cut down ship repair times. Under the contract, the company will use robots capable of flying, swimming and climbing to condense a three-month ship inspection process down to as little as two days. Gecko says its robots can assess necessary maintenance 50 times faster than current manual inspection techniques.

Congress

• Last week, the MCAA continued lobbying on Capitol Hill to advance permitting reform by working to build on renewed bipartisan engagement on the issue from the Ranking Members for the two key committees with jurisdiction over permitting reform—Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member on Environment & Public Works (EPW) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR). Whitehouse and Heinrich reengaged after the Justice Department declined to appeal court decisions blocking the Administration’s efforts to stop work on offshore wind projects already under construction and after some positive developments on other renewable projects. The Senators warned, however, that they expect no additional Administration interference with already-permitted wind projects and further movement on other renewable energy projects for the larger permitting talks to remain productive. Reports last week that the Administration is considering paying France’s TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion to halt two planned wind projects offshore New York and North Carolina that are not yet under construction do not seem to be halting discussions on permitting reform. The exact scope of a Senate permitting bill remains unclear, but we expect any bill that comes out of the Senate negotiations to be broader than the “SPEED Act” that we worked to get through the House in December. Senate legislation is likely to more broadly accelerate approvals for both fossil fuel and clean energy projects, strengthen transmission capacity and grid reliability, and reduce judicial review timelines—akin to the SPEED Act. Senate negotiators also want to address “permit certainty,” while Democrats want to ensure the Administration cannot continue to interfere with previously-permitted renewable energy projects or deprive renewable projects of the benefits of permitting reforms. The Senate is also trying to figure out the extent to which a permitting reform bill must address community and environmental concerns around infrastructure development, particularly as it relates to the construction of data centers and their associated energy and water needs.

• The discussion on permitting reform in the Senate comes as federal, state, and local policymakers are increasing scrutiny of AI infrastructure projects. On March 13^th, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-NM)—the leading Democrats on the Senate’s permitting reform negotiations—launched an investigation into eight AI companies regarding their plans for new gas-fired power plants to fuel large data center developments. In letters to Meta, OpenAI, xAI, Fermi America, American Intelligence & Power Corporation, Joule, Crusoe, and Fundamental Data, the lawmakers raised concerns about the potential greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution, and long-term economic assumptions associated with relying primarily on natural gas generation to meet growing AI-related electricity demand. Notably for the MCAA, the Senators are requesting information on whether the projects will incorporate carbon capture technologies, utilize lower-methane-intensity gas supplies, and consider alternative power sources such as renewables, nuclear, or battery storage. The lawmakers also raised concerns about the scale of proposed facilities, including Pacifico Energy’s planned 7.65-gigawatt GW Ranch project in Texas. The companies were asked to respond to the senators’ questions by March 27^th. At the state level, Washington lawmakers sent Gov. Bob Ferguson (D) legislation to end sales tax exemptions for data centers, including waivers on equipment, installation, and maintenance costs. The legislation would also halt new exemptions and sunset existing benefits beginning July 1. Meanwhile, local officials in Lowell, Massachusetts approved a one-year moratorium on new data center construction amid a debate over expanding an existing data center. The moratorium was passed over the objections of construction unions that emphasized the jobs the project would create. Residents and environmental advocates prevailed by highlighting concerns about noise, diesel backup fuel storage, and increased water and energy consumption.

• Last Thursday, the Senate Homeland Security Committee voted 8-7 to advance Senator Markwayne Mullin’s (R-OK) nomination to be the Secretary of Homeland Security to the full Senate. Committee Chair Rand Paul (R-KY) was the only Republican to vote against Mullin and Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) was the only Democrat to support his nomination. The vote comes as negotiations continued into the weekend over reopening the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Senate Democrats have tied additional funding to changes in immigration enforcement practices, while the White House has countered with proposals that include expanded use of body-worn cameras, clearer officer identification standards, limits on certain enforcement actions, enhanced oversight of detention facilities, and codification of protections against the deportation or detention of U.S. citizens. As the DHS shutdown continues and Transportation Security Administration airport screeners work without pay, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warned travelers to expect much more serious problems with airport operations if TSA personnel miss additional paychecks. The White House is seeking to go around Democratic leadership to get a deal. Border Czar Tom Homan and other senior Administration officials are engaging directly with centrist Senate Democrats who previously broke with party leadership on government funding votes. As the shutdown drags on, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) pressured lawmakers to get a deal on DHS funding by threatening to delay the Senate’s planned Easter recess at the end of this week if no deal is reached. Meanwhile, Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Tom Suozzi (D-NY) are preparing their own bipartisan compromise to reopen DHS.

• As the conflict in Iran contributes to global market volatility and rising fuel costs, many lawmakers have renewed urgency about accelerating deployment of renewable energy and strengthening grid reliability. To this end, last Wednesday, 120 House Democrats introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act. The sweeping bill seeks to lower household electricity costs by accelerating deployment of renewable power and modernizing the electric grid. The legislation would restore a range of clean energy tax credits repealed in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, create new incentives for utilities to improve system efficiency, pass savings on to consumers, and provide financial assistance to help prevent struggling households from having their electricity shut off. The bill is unlikely to garner substantial GOP support, however, because it also seeks to impose new requirements on the development of fossil fuels. For example, it would require the Energy Department to determine that new LNG export terminals would not raise domestic energy prices or worsen climate impacts before granting approvals. It also clarifies federal authority over siting major interstate transmission lines to speed grid expansion and limits the Administration’s use of emergency powers to extend the operation of coal and other fossil fuel plants that the Administration has used to keep generating capacity online. In addition, the legislation seeks to prevent data centers and other large energy users from shifting costs onto residential ratepayers and includes provisions aimed at curbing alleged price gouging by energy companies.

• There were several developments in races for the U.S. Senate last week. In Illinois, Lt. Gov. Julia Stratton (D) won the state’s Democratic Senate primary and is expected to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) in the heavily Democratic state. In Oklahoma, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and NRSC Chair Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) endorsed Rep. Kevin Hern’s (R-OK) campaign for the open Oklahoma Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who is undergoing confirmation to lead Homeland Security. In Michigan, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed Michigan state Senator Mallory McMorrow (D) in the state’s contested Democratic Senate primary to replace retiring Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) and in Maine, Warren endorsed Graham Platner in the state’s Democratic Senate primary. In South Carolina, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) announced he will seek a third term in 2028, abandoning a long-stated pledge that his 2022 campaign would be his last.

• There were also several developments in races for the U.S. House of Representatives last week. In Illinois, state Rep. La Shawn Ford (D) secured the Democratic nomination in the 7^th Congressional District and will face Republican Chad Koppie. Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss (D) won the primary in Illinois’ 9^th Congressional District and will face Republican John Elleson. Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (D) captured the nomination in Illinois’ 2^nd Congressional District and will face Republican Michael Noack. And former Rep. Melissa Bean (D) won a comeback bid in Illinois’ 8^th Congressional District and will face Republican Jennifer Davis. Congressional Democrats’ confidence about the midterms continued to grow after Inside Elections adjusted its House ratings, shifting several Republican-held seats—including Colorado’s 3^rd Congressional District, Florida’s 27^th Congressional District, North Carolina’s 11^th Congressional District, and open seats in Texas’ 23^rd and Montana’s 1^st Congressional Districts—from Solid Republican to Likely Republican, while a much smaller number of Democratic seats moved in favor of Republicans. Meanwhile, a spike in fertilizer prices caused by war in Iran is raising new affordability issues in Republican-leaning agricultural states that Democrats believe could make some rural districts more competitive for Democrats heading into the 2026 midterms.

Around the Country

• MCAA members in Ohio should know that the U.S. Departments Energy and Commerce entered into a partnership with SoftBank and AEP Ohio to redevelop Energy Department land in southern Ohio to modernize energy infrastructure and develop advanced computing. As part of the partnership, Softbank company SB Energy plans to build 10 gigawatts (GW) of new power generation, including 9.2 GW of natural gas generation for a data center development at the Portsmouth Site in Pike County, Ohio. SB Energy is also investing $4.2 billion with AEP Ohio to upgrade and build new transmission lines in Southern Ohio. Construction is expected to begin this year.

• As the Trump Administration continues to press for the deployment of more nuclear energy to improve the domestic power supply and grid reliability, MCAA members operating in Tennessee and Alabama should be aware that last Thursday President Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced a $40 billion nuclear power project between GE Vernova Inc. and Hitatchi Ltd. to build BWRX-300 small modular nuclear reactors in the two states. The agreement is the latest initiative supported by the $550 billion U.S.–Japan investment fund established as part of a broader trade arrangement between the U.S. and Japan that included reductions in U.S. tariffs on Japanese autos and other goods.

• MCAA members operating in Alaska should be aware that last Wednesday, the Interior Department announced that a new oil and gas lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska generated more than $163 million in total receipts from 187 leases covering roughly 1.3 million acres. Officials said the sale, the first in the reserve since 2019 and the first conducted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, set program records for revenue and number of tracts receiving bids. The Bureau of Land Management offered more than 5 million acres in the sale, with proceeds to be shared with Alaska and local North Slope communities.

• MCAA members involved in public water infrastructure work in the western U.S. should be aware of new federal funding to improve water infrastructure in California, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Last Tuesday, the Interior Department announced $889 million in funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for Bureau of Reclamation projects to improve water conveyance, expand water storage, and modernize water infrastructure in these states. California will receive $540 million for Central Valley water system upgrades, including $235 million for Delta-Mendota Canal rehabilitation, $200 million for Friant-Kern Canal subsidence correction, $50 million for San Luis Canal reliability improvements, $15 million to enhance pumping capacity at the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority facility, and $40 million for planning and preconstruction activities tied to raising Shasta Dam, which would add roughly 634,000 acre-feet of water storage. North Dakota is getting $100 million to support the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply Project. Utah will receive $100 million to fund replacement of the aging Highline Canal with an enclosed pipeline. And Wyoming is getting $100 million to finance long-term repairs to the Fort Laramie Tunnels. There is also $30 million for a conveyance and pump storage project in Idaho and $11 million for the Belle Fourche Siphon lining project in South Dakota.

• The Trump Administration is also advancing multiple actions to revive offshore oil and gas production along the California coast. President Trump signed an executive order on March 13^th invoking the Defense Production Act to allow Energy Secretary Wright to direct Sable Offshore Corp. to restore operations at the Santa Ynez Unit and Pipeline System off the coast of Santa Barbara, which could produce roughly 45,000 to 55,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Separately, last Tuesday, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for DCOR, LLC’s proposal to use well stimulation treatments, including hydraulic fracturing, on up to 16 existing wells at Platform Gilda located about 8 miles offshore Ventura County, California. The review will be conducted on an expedited timeline under the Trump Administration’s declared national energy emergency. BOEM opened a scoping period through March 30, 2026 and will host a virtual public scoping meeting this Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 4pm ET, with registration available here.

• MCAA members working on federal projects should note new False Claims Act (FCA) enforcement action tied to alleged overcharging on construction-related equipment. Last Tuesday, the Justice Department announced a $10.5 million settlement agreement with industrial and metal fabrication companies W International LLC, W International SC LLC, Precision Metal Equipment Handling LLC, and Edward Walker to resolve allegations the companies violated the FCAby knowingly overcharging the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy for weld tables. The companies were subcontracted for a project to refurbish and equip a large-scale welding facility and submitted claims for payment that overcharged for weld tables supplied for the facility.

• MCAA members operating in and around the Gulf of America should note that on March 13^th, the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management approved BP’s production plan for the Kaskida ultradeepwater oil project located roughly 250 miles off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of America. The approximately $5 billion development is expected to begin producing about 80,000 barrels of oil per day from an initial phase of six wells starting in 2029, tapping a geologic formation believed to contain significant long-term crude resources. The approval advances one of the first major new offshore projects considered under the Trump Administration’s broader push to increase domestic fossil fuel production amid elevated global energy prices and supply disruptions. Additional federal permitting steps remain before drilling can commence, and environmental groups have indicated the decision may face legal challenges.

As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting your livelihood and setting the stage for a bright future, MCAA has secured the services of Longbow Public Policy Group to advise our MCAA Government Affairs Committee (GAC). GAC Chair, Jim Gaffney will be passing along information relative to our industry on a regular basis.

On Monday, March 16, 2026 MCAA Lobbying Firm, Longbow Public Policy Group provided the following information:

Trump Administration

• Last Friday, President Trump issued two executive orders aimed at reducing housing costs by addressing both housing supply and access to financing. The first order entitled, “Removing Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Home Construction,” directs federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Federal Housing Finance Agency to review and, where appropriate, revise federal requirements affecting residential development, such as Clean Water Act permitting standards, stormwater and environmental review processes, energy efficiency and water use rules, and federal grant and infrastructure programs tied to housing development. The order also calls for new federal guidance encouraging state and local governments to adopt practices such as streamlined permitting timelines, expanded use of manufactured housing, and fewer regulatory constraints on suburban and exurban residential growth. A fact sheet on the order is available here. The second order “Promoting Access to Mortgage Credit,” directs federal financial regulators to consider potential changes intended to expand mortgage credit availability, particularly through community and smaller banks. The order highlights possible revisions to ability-to-repay and qualified mortgage requirements, mortgage disclosure and appraisal rules, capital and liquidity standards applicable to residential lending, supervisory treatment of construction and servicing activities, and broader adoption of digital mortgage processes such as electronic closings and remote notarization. A fact sheet on the order is available here.

• As the MCAA continues to track the fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision invaliding President Trump’s global tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), we wanted to make MCAA members aware that last week, the Administration announced two new Section 301 tariff investigations targeting foreign trade practices. The first investigation focuses on industrial overcapacity in export-reliant economies that U.S. officials say use subsidies to undercut American producers and could lead to higher tariffs on major trading partners including China, India, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, and the European Union. An “illustrative list” of covered sectors includes energy products, steel, aluminum, autos, batteries, chemicals, electronics, machinery, semiconductors, and other transportation and industrial goods. A fact sheet on this investigation is available here. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) will publish a Federal Register notice seeking public comments by April 15, 2026 and USTR plans to hold a public hearing on May 5, 2026. The second investigation will examine 60 economies, including China, Canada, India, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, and Vietnam over alleged failures to combat forced labor and could result in additional tariffs on goods from nations determined to have inadequate policies or practices related to the importation of goods produced with forced labor. A forthcoming Federal Register notice on this investigation is available here and USTR plans to a public hold hearing on April 28, 2026, with written comments and requests to appear due by April 15, 2026. Although Section 301 proceedings often take months or years, U.S. Trade Representative Greer said the Administration aims to complete both reviews by mid-July, when the 10% tariffs imposed under Section 122 following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling are set to expire.

• As the conflict with Iran continues, developments in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified concerns about disruptions to global energy markets. Last week, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned the conflict is contributing to one of the largest oil disruptions in history. Oil prices have risen roughly 40% since the war began and remain volatile despite IEA member countries agreeing to release a record 400 million barrels of oil, including 172 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Iranian forces have expanded attacks on oil tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz to pressure the U.S. and its allies, and Tehran is warning the world to “get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel.” The Trump Administration acknowledged limits to its ability to stabilize oil prices as U.S. military assets remain focused on strike operations and are not ready to escort commercial vessels through the Strait. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said naval escorts would begin as soon as “militarily possible.” Iranian threats have deterred many non-Iranian vessels from transiting the chokepoint, even as Iran exports more of its own oil than before the conflict began.

• As surging electricity demand and interconnection constraints continue to shape timelines for large data center, industrial, and energy projects, the Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity last Thursday announced a $1.9 billion funding opportunity under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program to accelerate modernization of the nation’s power grid and address rising electricity demand. DOE will prioritize funding for projects in three areas: (1) grid reliability and resilience improvements; (2) deployment of smart grid technologies to enhance efficiency, monitoring, and operational flexibility; and (3) large multi-jurisdictional transmission demonstrations intended to facilitate development of new large electricity loads. Concept papers are due April 2, 2026, with full applications due May 20, 2026. DOE expects to announce selections this August, and an informational webinar will be posted on the Office of Electricity website by March 19, 2026.

• Staff in charge of compliance risk and mitigation at MCAA member companies should be aware of the U.S. Justice Department’s new “Corporate Enforcement and Voluntary Self-Disclosure Policy” (CEP) released last week. It establishes a single framework for resolving corporate criminal cases. Under the policy, companies that promptly self-report previously unknown misconduct, fully cooperate with investigators, and undertake timely remediation may avoid federal prosecution and penalties, although they would still be required to pay restitution and forfeit illicit gains. Companies that do not qualify for full voluntary self-disclosure or whose misconduct involves aggravating factors may still receive non-prosecution agreements and reduced penalties (50 to 75% below the lower end of the federal sentencing guidelines), shorter resolution terms, and avoid having to hire outside compliance monitors. The CEP applies across most Justice Department components handling criminal matters and is intended to shape how companies conduct internal investigations, evaluate the timing of disclosures, and negotiate enforcement outcomes.

• As we previously noted, the MCAA has been anticipating more activity on implementation of President Trump’s April 2025 Executive Order on Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future following the confirmation of Henry Mack to lead the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration at the end of last year. It began in earnest last Monday when the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) released three circulars and one bulletin revising guidelines for Registered Apprenticeship Programs and the standards governing the sponsors of apprenticeship programs, State Apprenticeship Agencies (SAA), and State Apprenticeship Councils (SAC).
  
  Circular 2026-01 revises program design requirements for registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) by eliminating the 12-month on-the-job learning requirement for competency-based RAPs, removing caps on allowable training-hour variation in hybrid and time-based RAPs, and lifting the 50% limit on credit for prior work experience for all types of RAPs. The guidance also encourages use of end-point assessments to verify apprentice competency and reiterates safety oversight expectations for RAPs in high-risk industries, such as construction, transportation, and mining.
  
  Circular 2026-02 clarifies that SAAs must retain authority over core RAP registration, administration, and oversight functions. SAAs are prohibited from formally or informally delegating responsibilities such as determining apprenticeable occupations, approving program standards, or suspending programs to SACs. The guidance directs states to amend any laws, regulations, and practices that allow SACs to exercise such powers and warns that DOL may approve programs directly in SAA states if state processes create inappropriate barriers or delays.
  
  Circular 2026-03 establishes a standardized methodology for calculating apprenticeship completion rates based on defined participant cohorts and expected completion timelines. It launches a new public data portal on Apprenticeship.gov displaying national and state completion and cancellation rates by industry.
  
  Bulletin 2026-35 commits DOL OA to issuing program registration determinations within 30 days and introduces a public “shot clock” website tracking registration timelines and monthly approvals for applications submitted to DOL OA. While SAAs are encouraged to adopt similar benchmarks, the 30-day standard does not apply to SAAs.
  
  The Employment and Training Administration will host a public webinar on March 27, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET (register here) to discuss the new guidance documents and their implications for RAP sponsors, prospective applicants, SAAs, and SACs and plans to release additional training modules through the Registered Apprenticeship Academy following the webinar.

• Also on Monday, the Department of Education published a proposed rule to implement changes to the federal Pell Grant program implementing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s creation of “Workforce Pell Grants.” As proposed, Workforce Pell Grants would allow eligible students to receive aid for short-term workforce training programs lasting roughly 8 to 15 weeks and between 150 and 599 clock hours (or equivalent credit hours). Programs serving as the classroom or formal training part of a registered apprenticeship program would be treated as meeting key eligibility criteria, including alignment with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations and employer hiring needs. Under the rule, students could receive Pell assistance only for these programs. They would be ineligible if non-federal grants or scholarships cover their full cost of participation. The proposal establishes detailed approval and accountability requirements for eligible workforce programs, including certification by state governors in consultation with workforce development boards and review by the Department of Education. Programs would be required to meet completion and job placement thresholds and comply with a new “value-added earnings” standard under which graduates’ median earnings must exceed program tuition and fees. Programs that fail to meet these benchmarks or lose state approval could lose eligibility for Workforce Pell Grants. The Education Department will be coordinating with the U.S. Department of Labor on guidance for programs connected to registered apprenticeships. Comments on the proposed rule are due April 8, 2026.

• As Congress continues debating changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program, last week, the Department of Justice announced a settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. under which the company agreed to pay a civil penalty of just over $1 million for violations of the existing RFS program. In June 2023, Chevron disclosed that between January and August 2022 it had invalidly generated more than 2.2 million advanced biofuel credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs), on renewable diesel volumes that had already been used for RIN generation and were subsequently sold to third parties. To remediate the violation, Chevron retired valid RIN credits valued at approximately $3.6 million prior to executing the settlement. The agreement was filed by the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division in federal district court in Texas and is intended to reinforce compliance and integrity in the RFS credit market.

• As MCAA monitors the newly confirmed General Counsel and members of the NLRB, we wanted to be sure members were aware that on Friday March 6^th, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) exceeded its authority in issuing the 2023 Cemex decision. Cemex allowed the Board to impose bargaining orders when employers commit unfair labor practices during union election campaigns. The ruling arose from a dispute at Brown-Forman’s Woodford Reserve distillery in Kentucky, where the NLRB had ordered the company to bargain with a Teamsters affiliate after finding the company attempted to undermine union support during an organizing campaign by offering wage increases and other benefits ahead of a representation election the union ultimately lost. While the court upheld the findings that Brown-Forman committed unfair labor practices, it vacated the NLRB’s bargaining order issued under the Cemex framework and sent the case back to the Board.

Congress

• Last Thursday, the Senate voted 89–10 to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, legislation aimed at lowering housing costs by increasing supply, streamlining environmental review, and limiting certain corporate home-buying practices. The MCAA has been engaged on this legislation watching for proposals that would curtail the application of federal prevailing wage or the use of project labor agreements (PLAs) on federally-funded or federally-assisted multi-family housing projects. A Trump-backed provision in the bill restricting large institutional investors from purchasing certain single-family homes has drawn opposition from House conservatives, who argue the policy unfairly constrains private investment and conflicts with elements of the House-passed housing package focused on deregulating smaller financial institutions. House GOP leadership is also concerned about the Senate version of the bill. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) told members that major policy differences remain between the House and Senate as Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) and Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-AR) indicated the legislation could require a formal conference to resolve disputes. MCAA will be on guard throughout any House-Senate conference process to ensure problematic language impacting prevailing wage and PLAs does not get added.

• Last week, MCAA saw some meaningful movement related to its advocacy in the U.S. Senate on federal permitting reform. Last Thursday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said the chamber could turn to legislation on federal permitting reform for energy and infrastructure projects after next week’s debate on the SAVE Act, a bill to require voter ID and proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. Thune described permitting reform as an economic and energy policy priority that could advance if lawmakers show a willingness to cooperate. His comments came as key Senate Democrats started reengaging on permitting reform negotiations after the Trump Administration quietly began allowing renewable energy projects to go forward following court decisions invalidating the Administration’s efforts to halt offshore wind projects. But it is unclear if divisions emerging among congressional Democrats over how to address rising electricity costs tied to data center growth will impede progress on permitting reform. A small but vocal group of progressive lawmakers—including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Hank Johnson (D-GA)—are urging a federal moratorium on new data center construction over concerns about energy use, water demand, and community impacts. While the data center moratorium has drawn bipartisan opposition, powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) has expressed interest in addressing localized impacts from data center development without endorsing a nationwide pause.

• Despite the razor-thin House Republican majority, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) last Tuesday said he hopes to move another reconciliation bill focused on reducing costs for Americans by addressing waste, fraud, and abuse, citing the types of fraud Republicans say is occurring in Democratic states like Minnesota, which was the subject of recent Congressional hearings. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-TX) suggested using reconciliation to revisit proposals to reduce Medicaid spending that were excluded from last year’s reconciliation package due to the Senate’s “Byrd Rule,” while also identifying potential Pentagon spending cuts to offset new defense investments sought by President Trump after Speaker Johnson said that a supplemental funding package for the Iran conflict is “inevitable.” But as last week ended, the prospects for a second reconciliation bill were uncertain because President Trump made no mention of a second reconciliation bill when he spoke at the House Republican Caucus retreat. He told House Republicans their top priority should be enacting the SAVE Act requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. Without Trump working to unify the GOP, as he did for the first reconciliation bill that became the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it will be difficult for House leadership to garner the near unanimous support within their caucus required move another reconciliation package.

• Administrators of MCAA health plans should be aware that addressing issues with Medicare Advantage (MA) took on a new urgency last week after the release of a bipartisan report from the Congressional Joint Economic Committee finding that unscrupulous diagnostic billing and coding practices in MA insurance plans resulted in Medicare Part B premiums being 10% higher on average in 2025. The concerns about the practices of MA insurers were reinforced last Wednesday when the Justice Department announced that Aetna Inc. agreed to pay nearly $118 million to resolve allegations that it submitted inaccurate diagnosis data to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to inflate payments under its Medicare Advantage plans. These developments are lending intensity to concerns about fraud and waste in Medicare.

• There were a handful of developments in races for the U.S. Senate last week. In Maine, Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner received an endorsement from Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM). It was Platner’s third endorsement by a sitting U.S. Senator in his primary race against Gov. Janet Mills (D-ME). In Oklahoma, House Republican Policy Committee Chair Kevin Hern (R-OK) announced he will run for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who was nominated to lead the Department of Homeland Security. And a growing number of independent candidates including Seth Bodnar in Montana, Dan Osborn in Nebraska, Brian Bengs in South Dakota, and Todd Achilles in Idaho are launching Senate campaigns in deep-red states, arguing they may be more competitive than Democrats in traditionally Republican territory. The Democratic parties in most of these states, however, are refusing to step aside, raising concerns that competing Democratic and Independent candidates could split the anti-GOP vote.

• There were several developments in races for the U.S. House this week. In Georgia, Trump-endorsed Republican Clay Fuller and Democrat Shawn Harris advanced to an April 7^th runoff in the special election for Georgia’s 14^th Congressional District to fill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s (R-GA) seat. In Kentucky, President Trump held a campaign rally backing Republican Ed Gallrein’s primary challenge to incumbent GOP Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) in the state’s 4th Congressional District. The President called Massie “the worst person,” adding that “there is something wrong with him,” and accusing Massie of being “disloyal.” In South Carolina, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) announced he will seek an 18^th term in South Carolina’s 6^th Congressional District. In New York, former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg is preparing to spend millions in New York’s 12^th Congressional district to support former aide Micah Lasher in the Democratic primary for Rep. Jarold Nadler’s (D-NY) seat. In Minnesota, Julie Le announced a Democratic primary bid against Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in the state’s 5^th Congressional District. In Virginia, former Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe announced she will run in Virginia’s newly redrawn 7^th Congressional District pending voter approval of a constitutional amendment on April 21^st redrawing the state’s congressional districts. In California, incumbent GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA) changed his party affiliation to Independent but will continue to caucus with Republicans as he prepares to run in California’s Democratic-leaning 6th District. And as the midterms approach, Mississippi officials removed about 50,000 voters from the registration rolls using unverified Experian credit data to see if people moved out of the state, marking a departure from the verified government data sources that Mississippi and most other states have traditionally used to track voter moves.

Around the Country

• MCAA members operating in Texas should be aware that last Wednesday, President Trump announced on social media that America First Refining will build the first new U.S. oil refinery in 50 years in Brownsville, Texas. The project is being funded through a $300 million investment from privately-held Reliance Industries, an Indian company that owns the world’s largest oil refinery in Jamnagar, India. The new refinery will be designed to process 100% American shale oil.

• As the war in Iran continues to drive up oil prices, last Wednesday, President Trump said he plans to invoke the Defense Production Act (DPA) to override California environmental laws that are preventing Houston-based Sable Offshore from restarting oil drilling from offshore platforms along the California coast. The White House says invocation of the DPA is part of efforts to stabilize gasoline prices and strengthen domestic fuel availability in response to events in the Middle East. Environmental groups are suing the Administration, claiming that the effort to “fast track” renewed offshore drilling is being done in bad faith and got a judge to order the Trump Interior Department to disclose internal deliberative materials as well as emails, texts, and other chats with the company and other federal agencies regarding the oil spill risk from restarting the offshore drilling operations. The fight over drilling off the California coast comes as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management last Monday released its 2026 National Assessment of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources, estimating that the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf contains approximately 65.1 billion barrels of undiscovered, recoverable oil and 218.4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. A fact sheet on the report is available here.

• At an infrastructure summit last Tuesday, Open AI CEO Sam Altman and North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey announced a collaboration aimed at expanding training pathways into the skilled construction trades as demand grows for infrastructure supporting advanced artificial intelligence. The partnership is intended to help ensure construction of AI-related facilities supports union careers, strengthens union-registered apprenticeship programs, and creates economic opportunity in communities where projects are built. The organizations said the collaboration will focus on engagement related to workforce development, labor standards, project safety, and policy considerations affecting infrastructure expansion. As part of the initiative, OpenAI committed to supporting NABTU’s TradesFutures nonprofit effort to expand recruitment and pre-apprenticeship preparation for construction careers.

• MCAA members operating in Mississippi should be aware that last Tuesday, Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company, xAI, won a contested permit from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to build a power plant with 41 natural gas-burning turbines in the town of Southaven, MS to power its nearby data center. The NAACP and other civil rights and environmental advocates tried to get the meeting delayed, arguing that it would conflict with some residents’ efforts to vote in the state’s primary elections, being held on the same day

• MCAA members in New York should be aware that U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) held a press conference to call on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) to rebuild and restart the Indian Point nuclear power plant on the Hudson River roughly 25 miles north of New York City. Rep. Lawler and Secretary Wright stressed that reviving the facility could help address rising electricity demand and high energy costs in the greater New York area. Before it was shuttered in 2021, the nuclear plant provided roughly 25% of New York City’s electricity. Holtec International is currently overseeing decommissioning activities at Indian Point. Rep. Lawler and Secretary Wright said the site should redeveloped as part of a broader “nuclear renaissance.” Holtec believes the facility could be rebuilt with updated safety systems while potentially increasing generation capacity by up to 10%.