EPA Announces $7.5 Billion In Water Infrastructure Financing
Construction Posts 34,000 Job Gain In August
House Subcommittee Hold Hearing on WOTUS Rule
OSHA Proposed Heat & Illness Regulation Published
Get Out the Vote:Empowering Your Employees
Current NUCA Muster Advocacy Alerts!
NUCA/PAC: Going Strong Since 1976
Second Session, 118th Congress Schedule
NUCA Official Letters To Congress
Sign Up For NUCA Muster Advocacy Alerts!
Join NUCA's Government Affairs Committee
The Newsletter of the NUCA Governmental Affairs Department
Work Remains Ahead For NUCA Priorities
Congress returned to Washington on Sept. 9 and their month is shaping up to be a busy one. A major backlog of important bills has built up – including NUCA priorities like the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and passing strong damage prevention language as part of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) reauthorization. Congress must grapple with the fate of these important bills while also facing a growing showdown over the FY2025 spending bills.
The deadline for Congress to pass all 12 annual FY2025 appropriations bills or pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to avoid a government shutdown is Sept. 30. A full spending agreement is not realistically possible by the deadline, so negotiations have pivoted to a CR to keep funding flat for a predetermined period.
House Republicans have pressed for a six-month CR to punt the deadline into the new year, and leave the new President and new Congress more room to maneuver rather than face a crunch in the post-election Lame Duck session. House Republicans seek to include the SAVE Act in the CR, a bill which requires proof-of-citizenship before registering to vote in a federal election. The Senate and the White House are unlikely to agree to a six-month extension that also includes the SAVE Act, so the stakes are high for both parties to avoid a government shutdown the month before Election Day.
Late last week, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) put forward a six-month extension of government funding. Many House Republicans back that plan because they hope to maintain control of the House and see Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump win the White House, giving them more leverage to set funding when the proposed extension expires on March 28, 2025. Republicans’ demand to extend government funding until March would also put Congress way behind the appropriations schedule for 2025 and give lawmakers a late start on FY2026 funding.
However, conservative GOP House members are demanding Speaker Johnson include the "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" (SAVE Act, HR 8281), a measure that would require, among other things, individuals to demonstrate proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Non-citizens voting in federal elections is already illegal under federal law, and critics have argued that the bill could make it more difficult for certain eligible legal voters to register to vote. Democrats oppose the SAVE Act – especially, they argue, during an ongoing election – and are also against a six-month funding extension. They want to wrap up 2025 fiscal year funding before the end of the year to give the new Congress and the new president a clean slate. The House passed a stand-alone version of the SAVE Act on July 10.
NUCA does not have a position on the SAVE Act. The House is expected to vote on the Johnson proposal this week, and the measure is expected to fail in the face of bipartisan opposition. NUCA urges Congress to act swiftly to avoid a government shutdown.
NUCA Government Affairs Committee
Meetings: In Person and Virtual
The next in-person NUCA Government Affairs Committee meeting will take place at the Fall Board of Directors Meeting in Savannah, Georgia, November 6-8, 2024. All NUCA members are welcome to attend.
Committee members can participate in the monthly online meetings. Please email the Government Affairs office or NUCA's Zack Perconti for more information about these meetings and their logon details at zackp@nuca.com.
EPA Announces $7.5 Billion In Water Infrastructure Financing
Also on Sept. 6 the EPA announced the availability of $7.5 billion of Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. The WIFIA program offers low-cost, long-term loans to help communities build local water infrastructure projects. This is the program's eighth funding round over the last ten years.
EPA wrote it is prioritizing projects focused on disadvantaged communities, replacing lead service lines, and addressing PFAS and other contaminants. To qualify for the program, projects should be estimated to costs at least $20 million, or $5 million for small communities of less than 25,000 people. WIFIA loans can cover up to 49% of eligible costs, or 80% of costs in small community projects.
NUCA's advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill continue to show results. NUCA has been a strong supporter of the WIFIA program since it was established in 2014. Growing our membership will only strengthen our ability to keep programs like this fully funded.
Construction Posts 34,000 Job Gain In August
The construction industry added 34,000 positions in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported last week. The latest BLS monthly jobs report, released on Sept. 6, shows that nonresidential specialty trade contractors led the way among construction segments, adding 14,000 positions. Heavy and civil engineering construction also increased, with the growth of 13,500 jobs nationwide.
The gain of 34,000 also marked a boost from the July increase of 13,000 jobs. Since last August, the total U.S. construction employment recorded an increase of 228,000, or 2.8%, through August 2024.
House Water Resources Subcommittee Hold Hearing on WOTUS Rule
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Sackett v. EPA, the Biden Administration was forced to return to the drawing board on their reinterpretation of the Clean Water Act and the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. A burdensome and confusing regulatory policy has followed, leading to significant delays in permitting and further slowing the rollout of infrastructure projects nationwide. Testimony delivered by the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works stated that as of December 2023 there exists a backlog of more than 4,000 jurisdictional determinations that need to be made by the government, slowing down countless projects across the U.S. and billions in investment.
On September 11, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment held a hearing to examine the Administration’s policies and discuss how the regulatory framework ought to be modernized. NUCA continues to support WOTUS overhaul under the greater umbrella of permitting reform and believes that better policy can be adopted without compromising environmental safeguards.
This regulation introduces a range of requirements for contractors to protect workers from heat-related injuries and illnesses, requires employers to develop comprehensive plans to mitigate heat risks, including hydration, rest, and heat control protocols, and also requires training and emergency response measures for heat-related issues.
This rule directly impacts virtually all NUCA members. Safety is our industry’s top priority, and it is important that OSHA’s final rule gets this safety regulation right.
NUCA will be submitting comments on the proposed rule ahead of the December 30 deadline and preparing materials to assist our members to file their own comments.
NUCA will continue to work with our coalition partners on this important issue.
Get Out the Vote:Empowering Your Utility Construction Business Employees
Voting is a fundamental right and a powerful tool for shaping the future of our communities and industry. For employees in the utility construction business, participating in elections is crucial for several reasons.
Voting is the cornerstone of democracy. It allows individuals to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives, including policies that impact the construction industry. When construction employees vote, they contribute to the selection of elected officials who will make decisions on issues such as labor laws, safety regulations, and infrastructure funding policies. By voting, construction workers can ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented.
Supporting candidates who are friendly to business interests is essential for the construction industry. Pro-business candidates typically advocate for policies that promote economic growth, reduce regulatory burdens, and support job creation. These policies can lead to a more favorable business environment, which can result in more construction projects and job opportunities. By voting for pro-business candidates, construction employees can help create a thriving industry that benefits everyone.
Infrastructure projects are the lifeblood of the utility construction industry. Voting for candidates and measures that support infrastructure development can lead to increased funding for water and wastewater projects, broadband, natural gas pipelines, roads, bridges, and other public works. These projects not only provide immediate job opportunities for more utility construction employees but also contribute to long-term economic growth and community development.
To ensure that you and your employee's votes count, it’s important to make a plan for voting. Here are some steps to help get started:
Register to Vote:Check your voter registration status and register if you haven’t already. Deadlines vary by state, so make sure to register well in advance of Election Day. If they are U.S. citizens, encourage your employees to register to vote.
Know Your Polling Place: Find out where your polling place is located and what hours it will be open. Some states also offer early voting or mail-in voting options.
Research Candidates and Issues: Take the time to research the candidates and issues on the ballot. Look for information on their positions related to the construction industry and infrastructure projects. Look at NUCA or your NUCA Chapter's Congressional endorsements. (NUCA traditionally does not take a position on the Presidential contest.)
Plan Your Voting Day: Decide whether you will vote early, by mail, or on Election Day. Make arrangements for transportation, time off work, or childcare if needed. Give your employees time to vote on Election Day, Nov. 5.
Encourage Others: Talk to your coworkers, friends, and family about the importance of voting. Encourage them to make a plan and vote as well.
By taking these steps, employees can ensure that their voices are heard and their interests are represented in the political process. Voting is not just a right--it’s a responsibility that can help shape the future of the American utility construction industry and our communities.
#WeDigAmerica | #NUCA60
Check your voter registration status and learn more about important upcoming election deadlines at vote.gov.
NUCA Thanks Our Many National Partners For Their Generous Support Of NUCA's Washington Summit & Advocacy Programs
Current NUCA Muster Advocacy Alerts!
Get involved! NUCA encourages each member to get involved in our association's Congressional advocacy campaign. And it is very easy to do so: just click on the Muster title links below to submit a pre-written letter to your own federal lawmakers about each issue, and let them know what is on your mind! It will only take a minute, and you can add your own story and thoughts.
Support the LIBERTY Campaign! This grassroots pro-business campaign supported by NUCA seeks to find common ground on uncontroversial border enforcement and immigration law reforms supported by both parties.
Support the Fair and Open Competition Act (HR 1209/S 537)! This bill (called FOCA) supported by NUCA will stop government mandated Project-Labor Agreements (PLAs). It passed out of the House Oversight Committee on July 12, 2023, on a 22-20 vote, and is awaiting a vote in the full House.
Elections and NUCA/PAC: Going Strong Since 1976
Get involved! NUCA's Political Action Committee, NUCA/PAC, continues to be your strong voice on Capitol Hill - supporting pro-infrastructure policies, and defending your business against harmful laws and regulations that can affect your bottom line.
NUCA/PAC enables the American utility construction industry to approach vital public policy issues by helping to elect like-minded Members of Congress.
Get engaged in the process by authorizing NUCA/PAC to share information with you and your employees. Federal law requires NUCA/PAC to first obtain your written permission to solicit your voluntary contributions.
NUCA/PAC is more engaged and involved in 2024--let's make our industry's PAC the strongest it can be with your help.
Record All Your Jobsite Incidents With Just One App: NUCA WINS
You spoke, NUCA-WINS listened. NUCA-WINS 3.0 is now available as a low-cost monthly subscription.
New users will now get all the features of the annual subscription version with no setup fees: Onboarding, Training, Maintenance, Support, and Updates are all included, along with the same generous 33% NUCA discount.
Your company will benefit from accurate and timely reporting, and receive immediate notification in case of any jobsite incidents. Those NUCA members using the app say they wish they had it years ago. It's worth checking out.
Both chambers returned to session on September 9 for the entire month, leaving on September 27. If they do not pass their FY2025 spending packages by September 30--and it is very likely that they will not--they will pass a continuing resolution to keep the government open past October 1. Lawmakers in both parties will seek to avoid a government shutdown occurring a month before the federal election.
Because it is an election year, lawmakers will leave D.C. as soon as Congress concludes its September business. All 435 House members are up for re-election in 2024, with 34 U.S. Senators joining them on the campaign trail. Election Day is November 5th.
Congress returns for work in a lame-duck session Nov. 12-22, and then from Dec. 2-20. They will need every day for legislative catch-up work.
The last full day of the 118th Congress will be January 2, 2025. The new 119th Congress begins at noon on January 3.
For the remainder of the legislative session – in addition to essential appropriations work – NUCA is focused on practical results that might be achieved before the end of the year – namely, advancing critical workforce development legislation and damage prevention language in the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) PIPES Act reauthorization, and ensuring robust funding for water infrastructure through legislation like the Water Resources Development Act.
A full House-Senate Congressional calendar for 2024 can be downloaded here. The 2025 chamber calendars will most likely be released around Thanksgiving by House and Senate leadership.
All formal NUCA correspondence with Congress and federal regulatory agencies can be found and read at nuca.com/comments.
Sign Up For NUCA Muster Advocacy Alerts
Get involved! Did you use our Muster system this month to let Congress know your opinion of their legislative priorities? If you're a NUCA member, your Washington government affairs team wants you to be part of our Capitol Hill advocacy program! NUCA urges you to sign up to receive our Muster advocacy alerts. These emails will alert you to pending legislative action where your opinion can make a difference.
It's easy to sign up via the link below. Use your personal home address if you can do so, since our online Muster advocacy program finds your members of Congress via your voter registration address. But business addresses work just as well to receive our alerts.
Get involved! If you enjoy analyzing politics and find the inner workings of Congress and our industry's legislative program interesting or useful to your business, why not take the next step and join NUCA's Government Affairs Committee? Membership is open to all NUCA members, and we welcome the active participation of those seeking to make a difference in their industry, and to help shape NUCA's official policies on legislation.
Help shape the legislative and advocacy program of your association. Contact NUCA's Vice President of Government Affairs Zack Perconti to get started today.
