As highlighted at the MCAA Industry Funds Conference in December, 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 Friday, February 16, 2024 MCAA Lobbying Firm, Longbow Public Policy Group provided the following information:
The balance of power in the House is shifting again after former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip on Tuesday in the special election for New Yorkâs 3rd Congressional District. Suozziâs win means that once Suozzi is sworn in on February 28th, if every member is present and voting, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) can only afford to lose two members to pass legislation. The majority could further shift with special elections later this year to replace former Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) on April 30th, former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA-20) on May 21st, and former Rep. Bill Johnson (R-OH-6) on June 11th.
On Capitol Hill this week, before leaving for the Presidentâs Day recess next week, the Senate passed a $95.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan by a bipartisan vote of 70-29. Twenty-two Republicans joined most Senate Democrats in supporting the bill. Following the vote, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) declared the bill âdead on arrivalâ in the House because it lacked border security measures. Johnsonâs remarks come as a moderate group of House lawmakers, led by Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Don Bacon (R-NE), introduced compromise legislation to provide funds to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan that includes provisions implementing the âRemain in Mexicoâ policy requiring asylum seekers to await adjudication of their asylum claim in Mexico and not be released into the U.S. with a summons. The bill would also provide a one-year authority to the Homeland Security Secretary to suspend the entry of inadmissible migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border if the Secretary determines it is necessary to achieve operational control at the border.
In other immigration-related news, on a second try, the House succeeded in impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas by a vote of 214-213. House Republicans were able to impeach Mayorkas despite three Republicans opposing the effort because House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) returned to D.C. following cancer treatment. The vote may be for naught, however, because the Senate plans to reject the impeachment effort after it returns from the Presidentâs Day recess. Notably, even conservative Trump ally Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND) slammed the Houseâs impeachment of Mayorkas, calling it âthe worst, dumbest, exercise and use of timeâ and confirmed it is âdead on arrivalâ in the Senate.
Finally, with only weeks to go until government funding runs out and nearly five months since the start of fiscal year 2024, congressional lawmakers seem no closer to reaching agreement on spending bills than they were when the fiscal year started on October 1, 2023. This week, as the âladderedâ March 1st and March 8th government funding deadlines approach, appropriators said a series of hurdles remain in crafting appropriations bills, including disputes over thorny social issues ranging from abortion to LGBTQ rights and extending to partisan disputes over funding for the FBI, election security assistance, and the IRS. With lawmakers having departed for the Presidentâs Day recess and House lawmakers not expected to return to D.C. until February 28th, there is little time left to avoid a partial government shutdown when the first tranche of government funding runs out on March 1st. There are signs that House Republicans have little confidence in Speaker Johnsonâs ability to resolve government funding and other key priorities based on a Politico article released last week in which members from every corner of the House Republican Caucus described Speaker Johnson a nice man who is just âwinging itâ on major questions of strategy, messaging, and basic vote counting.
Enjoy the congressional recess next week. It will be hectic when Congress returns next week
MCAA Issues and Interests
Nomination of Julie Su to be Labor Secretary
MCAA is supporting the renomination of Julie Su to be Labor Secretary in light of her record after serving almost one year as Acting Secretary during which her Department has finalized important MCAA regulatory priorities, including new Davis-Bacon Regulations and revised standards on the classification of workers as independent contractors. But her confirmation continues to face challenges that MCAA is working to overcome.
Last Wednesday, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA) sent a letter objecting to Committee Chair Bernie Sandersâ (I-VT) plans to hold an âoff-the floorâ markup of Julie Suâs nomination. In the letter, Cassidy insisted on another committee hearing and formal committee markup of Suâs nomination. Cassidy argued that in the 299 days since the last hearing on her nomination, Acting Secretary Su has pursued policies that warrant a new hearing where she can be questioned about these initiatives. Among the Labor Department policies Senator Cassidy called out in his letter are: (1) DOLâs recent MCAA-supported independent contractor rule; (2) DOLâs recent MCAA-supported Davis-Bacon rule; (3) a pending rule to give more workers overtime; (4) generally supporting unions and workers seeking to form or join unions; and (5) failing to quickly approve employersâ applications for H-2B foreign workers. Chair Sanders, as of this writing, has not responded to Cassidyâs letter and the HELP Committee has not yet noticed any action with regard to Suâs nomination, but we continue to engage with staff to communicate the MCAAâs continued support for her nomination.
Misclassification and Davis-Bacon
MCAA Joins Construction Employers of America in Responding to House Oversight Hearing
Last Tuesday, MCAA worked with the Construction Employers of America (CEA)âthe umbrella group of union contractor associationsâto submit a detailed letter to the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Workforce Protections ahead of a Wednesday oversight hearing on the Labor Departmentâs Wage and Hour Division (WHD). In the letter expresses strong support for the leadership of WHD Administrator Jessica Looman and applauded her for securing critical regulatory changes to Davis-Bacon prevailing wage and the independent contractor standard under federal wage and hour laws. The letter also highlighted the CEAâs support for Administrator Loomanâs stepped up enforcement actions against unscrupulous employers. MCAA also worked with congressional offices and allies to push back on false narratives about the Davis-Bacon rulemaking.
During last Wednesdayâs hearing, Subcommittee Chair Kevin Kiley (R-CA) announced his intention to introduce a House companion to the Senate Congressional Review Act resolution to nullify the new independent contractor rule. MCAAâs lobbying team has already been advocating against a similar CRA resolution announced by Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA) last month. In addition to Chair Kileyâs criticism of the independent contractor rule, House Freedom Caucus Chair Bob Good (R-VA) used the hearing to object to the WHDâs new Davis-Bacon regulations and even advocated for completely repealing the Davis-Bacon Act, arguing it would save taxpayers money.
Registered Apprenticeship
MCAA is working with the UA and the joint apprenticeship fundâs attorneys on comments concerning the U.S. Department of Laborâs proposed apprenticeship modernization rule. Drafting is underway and the comments are due March 18th.
Decarbonization
EPA Requests Comments to Inform Labeling Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials
Last Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a notice seeking comments on its Draft Approach for Implementation of the EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials (Draft Label Program). The Inflation Reduction Act authorized $100 million for the EPA to develop a program to identify and label construction materials and products that have substantially lower embodied carbon, in coordination with the General Service Administration, and the Department of Transportationâs Federal Highway Administration.
Comments are due by March 18, 2024 and can be submitted through the federal eRulemaking portal here using Docket No. EPA-HQ-OPPT-2024-0038.
EPA will also host a webinar on the Draft Label Program Approach on February 27, 2024 from 12pm to 1pm ET. Registration is due by 5pm ET on February 26, 2024 and can be completed through Zoom here.
Other Interesting Developments in Washington, DC
Thursday, February 15th
- The Biden Administration kicked off its fourth Investing in America tour by announcing that the Federal Aviation Administration awarded $970 million in grants through the Airport Terminal Program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grants will fund improvements to terminals at 114 airports across 44 states. The five largest awards went to: (1) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida ($50 million); (2) Chicago OâHare ($40 million); (3) Phoenix, Arizona ($36 million); (4) Washington-Dulles ($35 million); and (5) Los Angeles and San Francisco (both receiving $31 million). A complete list of the airports receiving funding is available here. Biden Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited Charlotte Douglas International Airport, which received a $27 million grant award as part of Thursdayâs announcement.
- The Labor Department announced an extensionâfrom February 20, 2024 to May 13, 2024âof the comment period on its December 2023 Request for Information (RFI) about updating the Schedule A list of occupations in which the federal government acknowledges such a shortage of domestic workers that employers can bring in foreign labor for these occupations without testing the U.S. labor market for American workers. While this request has generally been framed as part of a possible expansion of schedule A to more jobs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and artificial intelligence, it could be much broader. This is because the RFI notably requested comments on extending Schedule A to certain âskilled technical workforce occupationsâ as defined by the National Science Foundation, which includes certain occupations in construction and extraction, installation, maintenance and repair, production, and healthcare.
- The House voted 224-200 to approve legislation to block the Biden Administrationâs pause on new natural gas export projects by removing the Administrationâs ability to reject export projects altogether. Nine Democrats joined Republicans voting for the measure.
Wednesday, February 14th
- Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) led a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel urging his agency to clarify the tax status of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law lead pipe replacement grants that provide federal funding to replace some of the 9.2 million lead water pipe service lines across the country. The letter stresses that âmany state and local governments have been unable to use these critical federal resources to begin replacing lead service lines due to the uncertain tax status of lead pipe replacement projects in our states.â
Tuesday, February 13th
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has expanded to an additional 150 rural communities its Closing Americaâs Wastewater Access Gap Community Initiative that partners with underserved communities to provide technical assistance on accessing federal wastewater funding, especially through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
- The Treasury and Energy Departments, as well as the Internal Revenue Service announced that they will no longer accept new applications for the 2023 program year of the Inflation Reduction Actâs Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program after February 29th. The program provides a 10% to 20% point boost to the Investment Tax Credit for qualified solar or wind facilities in low-income communities.
Monday, February 12th
- Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Corey Booker (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) sent a letter to federal regulators accusing fossil fuel companies of deceiving the public with ostensibly âgreenâ gasâand overcharging customers for projects that wonât help the climate. The letter also asked the Federal Trade Commission to examine whether the certified gas industry is engaged in âunfair and deceptive practices.â
- A crowded field began lining up to replace retiring House Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), including Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) (who chairs the E&C Communications and Technology Subcommittee), Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) (who chairs the E&C Health Subcommittee), Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) (who serves as chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee), and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) (who is the vice chair of the E&C Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce).
Friday, February 9th
- The General Services Administration and the Defense Department announced a joint effort seeking suppliers that could provide federal facilities in the mid-Atlantic and Midwestern U.S. with 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2030. The agencies published a Request for Information seeking input by March 19, 2024 to inform the governmentâs procurement planning for this effort.
Around the Country
Northeast
- On February 15th, New Yorkâs Independent Redistricting Commission approved a new set of lines for the stateâs 26-member congressional delegation. The new lines would provide a boost to Democratsâ efforts to retake New Yorkâs 22nd Congressional District occupied by Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY), while incumbent Reps. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) and Pat Ryan (D-NY) would get a boost in New Yorkâs 19th and 18th Congressional Districts, respectively.
- On February 15th, it was reported that John Deaton, a prominent cryptocurrency attorney, is taking a âserious lookâ at running as a Republican against U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).
- On February 13th, former Democratic Rep. Tom Suozzi defeated Republican Mazi Pilip in the special election for New Yorkâs 3rd Congressional District previously held by George Santos. Experts claim that Republicansâ distrust of mail-in voting may have helped to contribute to Pilipâs loss as a Norâeaster brought heavy snow to the district and depressed Election Day voting. Former President Donald Trump lashed out following Pilipâs defeat, branding her as a âvery foolish womanâ and chiding her for distancing herself from him. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) brushed off Pilipâs loss, saying the race is âin no way a bellwetherâ for the November elections. But respected Republican pollster Frank Luntz disagrees with Johnson and is warning Republicans that Democrats flipping this congressional seat should be a âfinal warning callâ to the party before the November elections. Luntz says that the results are not an âendorsement of Biden,â but instead a ârejection of House Republican chaos.â Luntz believes voters in the district didnât approve of Bidenâs policies, but rather Republicans âgave voters nothing to vote for.â
- On February 13th, reports indicated that New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphyâs Democratic U.S. Senate bid is facing hostility from the rank and file of the New Jersey Democratic Party. The intensity of the revolt was evident last Saturday when her opponent, Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), handily defeated Murphy in Monmouth County, her home county, which held the stateâs first Democratic nominating convention.
- On February 13th, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) announced a special election on April 30th to fill New Yorkâs 26th Congressional District seat vacated by Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY).
West
- On February 14th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it has begun work to clear and inspect nearly 100,000 linear feet of sewer lines within Lahaina, Hawaii. These inspections will allow the County of Maui to prioritize the emergency repairs needed to protect its wastewater treatment plant from excess infiltration of salt water through damaged sewer pipes.
- On February 12th, the Energy Department announced the selection of three projects that will receive up to $60 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The pilot projects awarded to Chevron New Energies for an existing geothermal field in Sonoma County, California, Fervo Energy for a pilot within the Milford Renewable Energy Corridor in Utah, and Mazama Energy for a project on the western flank of Newberry Volcano in Oregon will use innovative technology and a variety of development techniques to capture the earthâs heat resources.
Midwest
- On February 15th, Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-MT) dropped out of the Montana U.S. Senate race less than a week after he officially announced a bid. Rosendale said that former President Donald Trumpâs endorsement of Republican Tim Sheehy in the race led him to conclude his path to the Republican nomination was closed.
- On February 9th, after being one of only three Republicans to vote against the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Rep. Mike Gallagher (R) announced he will not seek reelection to Wisconsinâs 8th Congressional District.
Southeast
- On February 14th, General Electric Vernovaâs Nuclear Fuel business, Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF), announced it received approval from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to manufacture, ship, and analyze the performance of nuclear fuel with Uranium-235 enrichments of up to 8 percent. With the NRC approval of GNFâs fuel fabrication license amendment, the companyâs manufacturing facility in Wilmington, North Carolina becomes the first commercial facility in the U.S. to hold a license to fabricate fuel enrichments up to 8 percent.
- On February 14th, the Virginia House and Senate passed different versions of legislation that could help advance the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors in the state, despite environmental and ratepayer advocatesâ concerns about the costs utility customers could bear for the yet-to-be-used technology.
Southwest
- On February 12th, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) announced their endorsement of Republican Kari Lake in the Arizona U.S. Senate race.