Archive for March 2021

Earmarks a Carrot for an Infrastructure Package? Speeding a complex, multi-year infrastructure initiative through Congress will be largely impossible without Republican support due to Senate rules. To make negotiations easier, Democrats rescinded a 2011 ban on spending earmarks.  Rep. Graves (Ranking Member of the House Transportation Committee) said “I’ve always been in favor of members…

This Week in Congress With four days until supplemental unemployment benefits begin running out on March 14th, the House is expected to pass on Wednesday, March 10th, a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 Relief Package.  The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that $1.1 trillion of spending under the package would go out this year, with a further…

ASA Strongly Supports the Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act of 2021 On Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Sens. Van Hollen (D-MD) and Rounds (R-SD) and Reps. Lynch (D-MA) and Balderson (R-OH) reintroduced the Promoting Infrastructure by Protecting Our Subcontractors and Taxpayers Act of 2021.  This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would direct the U.S.…

Final Pandemic Aid Reconciliation Package This Fact Sheet describes the provisions of HR 1319, American Rescue Plan Act, as modified and passed by the Senate. The $1.9 trillion package, which is President Biden’s current top priority, provides substantial funding for health resources to battle the coronavirus and accelerate distribution of vaccines in an effort to end…

U.S. Department of Labor’s Joint Employer Proposed Rule Last Friday, March 5th, the U.S. Department of Labor issued their proposed joint employment liability rule, which would limit the circumstances in which multiple companies such as fast-food corporations and their franchisees are jointly responsible for minimum wage and overtime violations.  The Trump Administration’s joint employer test…

The House Passes a $1.9 Trillion COVID-19 Relief Package On Wednesday, March 10th, the House is expected to pass a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, it would include $1,400 direct payments to be sent to millions of households, an extension of unemployment benefits and funding for vaccine distribution.  Below is brief overview of what is…

Business Prepaid Cards Simplify Per Diem for Subcontractors As a subcontractor, you know that it takes a lot of moving parts to get the job done. Deadlines, materials and employees are just a few things you’re juggling at any given point. It takes a lot of time, energy and focus to run your business –…

Sen. Blunt Announces Retirement Sen. Blunt (R-MO) announced on Monday that he will not run for reelection in 2022.  Per Sen. Blunt, “after 14 general election victories, three to county office, seven to the United States House of Representatives, and four statewide elections, I won’t be a candidate for reelection to the United States Senate…

Congratulations to All of the ASA Award Winners! ASA would like to congratulate all of the companies and individuals that were recognized during the ASA Virtual Awards Presentation on February 25th, 2021. ASA Certificate of Excellence in Ethics Ace Glass Banker Insulation Bazan Painting Company Blauch Brothers EyeSite Surveillance, Inc. Haley – Greer, Inc. Holes…

This Week in Congress Last week, the House voted 219-212 and passed President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package.  This is the sixth COVID-19 relief package that has been passed by the House and on Wednesday, the Senate began their debate on this House passed package with the hope to pass the legislation later this…