The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) is calling on you to urge Congress to end the partial government shutdown – the longest now on record.
On January 19, President Trump put forth a proposal to reopen the federal government, help secure our southern border, and extend work authorizations for Temporary Protected States (TPS) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) holders, which include approximately 120,000 construction workers. Under this deal, those work authorizations would be extended by three years in exchange for $5.7 billion for border security infrastructure.
The U.S. Senate is poised to vote on legislation—the End the Shutdown and Secure Our Border Act—encompassing the president’s proposal. In addition, this legislation will include approximately $7 billion in disaster-aid construction project funding and a $10 billion increase over FY 2017 annual funding levels for federal infrastructure programs, including $5.3 billion more for highways, $1 billion more transit, and $500 million more for airports.
In summary, passage of this legislation benefits the construction industry by:
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Boosting disaster-aid construction project and infrastructure program funding
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Allowing the estimated 120,000 TPS and DACA holders to remain in the construction workforce for three more years
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Averting negative impacts of the shutdown, including delayed bid lettings, permits, and tax refunds
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