Republicans will criticize Biden’s help to unions in Thursday hearing.
House Republicans are gearing up to investigate an executive order issued by President Biden regarding the use of “project labor agreements,” which critics argue is a significant departure from traditional competitive contracting practices.
Project labor agreements, commonly referred to as PLAs, are collective bargaining agreements established between unions and construction contractors to determine employment terms, as outlined by the Labor Department.
Representative Nancy Mace, the chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee’s subcommittee on cybersecurity, IT, and government innovation, expressed concerns about the White House mandating PLAs. She believes that this decision prioritizes political allies over fair and open competition for federal contract work, potentially favoring union interests over non-union workers nationwide.
Ben Brubeck, Vice President of Associated Builders and Contractors, along with other witnesses like Glenn Ledet from the Louisiana Coastal Protection & Restoration Authority and Aric Dreher from Cianbro, are set to provide testimony on the negative impacts of the executive order on their ability to participate in government contract bids.
Brubeck is expected to highlight the challenges faced by contractors under the order, emphasizing the requirement for engaging in collective bargaining agreements to be eligible for federal projects funded by taxpayers. He will speak on behalf of contractors who strive to compete effectively and deliver projects efficiently for both public and private clients, lamenting the barriers imposed by what he views as the administration’s pro-PLA policies.
Citing President Biden’s self-proclaimed title as the “most pro-union president,” Brubeck aims to shed light on the hurdles faced by contractors due to government protectionism, which benefits select interests at the expense of fair competition.
The executive order came into effect in January, with Republicans on the committee asserting that it unjustly disadvantages non-union construction firms. Despite requests for comment, the White House has not responded to inquiries regarding the hearing’s topic.
This investigation underscores the ongoing debate between political actors and industry stakeholders, reflecting broader discussions on labor relations, competition, and government policy in the construction sector.
