U.S. Construction Groups Assess Transit Funding and Labor Policy After Democrats Flip Congress
AEC industry · Project management
Following Democrats winning majorities in the U.S. House and Senate, construction employer associations and trade unions are adjusting their policy priorities. Industry groups are urging action on expired transit funding mechanisms ahead of a Dec. 11 deadline, while remaining sharply divided over labor measures such as the PRO Act.
Following the midterm elections where Democrats gained control of both the U.S. House and Senate, the U.S. construction industry is preparing for shifts in federal policy. Major industry stakeholders, including the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), pointed to surface transportation funding as an urgent matter. The original Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has expired, with funding currently extended through Dec. 11. Industry representatives noted that lawmakers must decide whether to pass a short-term extension or negotiate a broader surface transportation bill, such as the BUILD America 250 Act, while acknowledging that Senate filibuster thresholds will still require bipartisan cooperation. Meanwhile, employer groups and labor unions signaled opposing stances on workplace regulations. The Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) urged the new majorities to reject union-oriented measures like the PRO Act, whereas union leaders from the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU) called on elected officials to advance pro-worker protections and infrastructure investments.
Key takeaways
- ASCE, AGC, and ARTBA highlighted the urgency of reauthorizing federal transportation funding before the Dec. 11 deadline, referencing the BUILD America 250 Act as a potential legislative vehicle.
- AGC noted that renegotiating the transportation framework under Democratic majorities could lengthen timelines, while ARTBA stressed that bipartisan support remains necessary in the Senate.
- ABC called on lawmakers to oppose union-specific measures such as the PRO Act and Faster Labor Contracts Act, advocating instead for open competition.
- Labor leadership from IUPAT and NABTU welcomed the election results and emphasized pushing for worker-focused legislation, immigration reform, and union rights.
Source：Construction Dive Read the original ↗
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