ABC Applauds Trump Speech; Seeks Merit Shops For Fed Contract

WASHINGTON – The Associated Builders and Contractors, an industry trade association, lauded the President’s focus on the economy in his State of the Union Address Tuesday night and strongly urged the president to restore government neutrality in federal contracting.

“ABC appreciates the president’s continued focus on the economy, expanding opportunity for American workers and addressing affordability,” said Michael Bellaman, president and CEO of the ABC. “These priorities align with the principles that have guided ABC and its 67 chapters for more than 75 years and continue to drive success across the construction industry, which employs more than 8.3 million people and contributes more than $2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy.

“Merit shop construction workers build the nation’s most enduring, innovative, high-quality roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, industrial facilities, renewables, airports, data centers and military bases safely, with skill and professionalism,” said Bellaman.

He said, ABC stands ready to work with the Trump administration and Congress to advance policies that prioritize these values for contractors so they can continue to deliver the best possible value for taxpayers.

“ABC strongly urges the president to restore government neutrality in federal contracting by reversing President Joe Biden’s illegal project labor agreement mandate,” said Bellaman. “New unionization data reinforces the need for policies that reflect today’s workforce. Merit shop construction workers continue to dominate the industry, as the latest government data shows nearly 89 percent of the U.S. construction workforce is not unionized. These millions of construction industry professionals deserve policies that respect their freedom to belong or not belong to a union.

“The president’s broader pro-growth agenda is delivering tangible benefits. The historic Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, allows hardworking Americans to keep more of their paychecks and invest in their businesses.”

Meanwhile, progress on permitting reform is helping critical projects move forward more efficiently, while a more predictable and balanced approach to the Waters of the United States rule is reducing regulatory uncertainty for construction employers nationwide.

Further, Bellaman said, the new majority on the National Labor Relations Board will bring a more balanced approach to labor law and end regulatory overreach that threatens workers and job creators alike.

“While resilient, the construction industry faces ongoing headwinds from high costs, tariff uncertainty and a chronic workforce shortage. As these concerns mount, the president should note that this industry is key to achieving his promises to lower the cost of housing, infrastructure and energy for American families. ABC urges the president to create the conditions for contractors to thrive with pro-growth policies so that he can deliver on his affordability promise to the American people.

“Looking ahead, ABC encourages continued action on policies critical to the future of the industry’s workforce, including advancing a new market-based worker visa program that supports American workers, strengthens national security and protections for taxpayers and helps communities build what we need.”

This new program would tie construction worker visas to documented demand rather than an arbitrary numerical cap, an approach that reflects economic reality and provides stability for workers, employers and communities.

While ABC supports strong enforcement of immigration laws, it said, enforcing the law and meeting workforce needs are not mutually exclusive goals.

“Other critical priorities include passing the Fair and Open Competition Act to prohibit government-mandated project labor agreements and expanding proactive, industry-driven apprenticeship and workforce development programs that align with industry needs,” said Bellaman.

The Associated Builders and Contractors is a national construction industry trade association established in 1950 with 67 chapters and more than 23,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC helps members offer a robust employee value proposition, develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work.

For more, go to www.abc.org.