ASA Government Relations 2025 Recap

As we start the new year and say goodbye to 2025, the American Subcontractor Association (ASA) Government Relations Team would like to provide a brief update on our legislative and regulatory achievements. Despite the challenges faced last year, we are deeply grateful to our Government Relations Committee (GRC) for their relentless dedication in advocating for our members and industry, addressing your legislative and regulatory priorities.

The ASA stands as a significant force within the construction industry, representing over 2,400 subcontractors nationwide. Our legislative priorities for 2025 have been designed to address crucial issues impacting subcontractors and, by extension, the broader construction industry, which plays a vital role in construction projects. On June 11, 2025, these priorities were prominently featured during our legislative fly-in on Capitol Hill. During this event, forty-nine ASA advocates, one of the largest groups in our history, engaged in 15 Senate meetings and 20 House meetings. They discussed ASA’s legislative priorities and provided input on the tax provisions included in the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Additionally, 28 members of this group had a meeting at the White House with the Public Liaison’s Office to the Executive Branch regarding trade, taxes, and workforce development.

ASA 2025 Legislative Priorities:

1. Promoting Prompt Payments through Legislative Action - In 2025, ASA prioritized enforcing prompt payments to subcontractors and suppliers, particularly regarding change orders. The organization backed the "Small Business Payment for Performance Act of 2025," which mandates quick payments to contractors following change orders. Timely payments are crucial for maintaining cash flow for subcontractors, ensuring they can meet their financial obligations and maintain operational stability.
2. Enhancing P3 Bonding Requirements - ASA championed the Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 1285 / S. 570). This legislation aims to confirm that existing payment and performance security requirements extend to infrastructure projects financed through the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA), including Public-Private Partnerships (P3s).
3. Refining Tax Reform - ASA supported tax provisions aimed at restoring tax rate parity for all businesses and making individual tax rates, pass-through deductions, and tax extenders permanent. We endorsed the Main Street Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 703 / S.213), which seeks to permanently extend Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code. Additionally, we oppose the Death Tax and support the Death Tax Repeal Act of 2025 (H.R. 1301 / S. 587).
4. Supporting Workforce Development - Workforce development remains a top priority, with ASA advocating for apprenticeship funding opportunities and opposing the misclassification of workers as independent contractors. Strengthening the workforce is essential for the growth and sustainability of the construction industry.
5. Encouraging Construction Procurement Reform - Finally, ASA supported the House Construction Procurement Caucus, which focuses on improving construction procurement policies. This caucus serves as a platform to address issues affecting the construction industry and to ensure that procurement practices are equitable and efficient.

These legislative priorities not only meet the immediate needs of subcontractors but also contribute to a more predictable and fair business environment for all stakeholders in the construction industry. By supporting these initiatives, the ASA has played a crucial role in fostering a stable and equitable industry landscape.

In addition to our legislative priorities, the ASA has provided insightful comments on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)'s goals to expedite acquisitions, enhance competition, and achieve superior outcomes for the government. As part of this broader push for efficiency, ASA emphasized the importance of streamlining the change order process. Moreover, the ASA has issued guidance documents on an ICE Raid Checklist and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)'s revision of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program. This revision now eliminates race and gender-based presumptions, requiring individualized proof of disadvantage.

Furthermore, the ASA has addressed several regulatory issues proposed by the Department of Labor, including Project Labor Agreements, Independent Contractor regulations, Davis Bacon Act, Overtime rules, and Joint Employer standards. We have collaborated with the Construction Industry Safety Coalition to provide comments on various safety concerns such as Process Safety Management for Hazardous Chemicals, the Severe Violator Enforcement Program, Personal Protective Equipment standards, and Heat and Injury Illness Prevention measures.

ASA Government Relations Director Mike Oscar has been actively visiting chapters across the country to provide our members with updates on federal legislative, regulatory, and political matters. These visits have been invaluable in briefing members on ASA’s nationwide efforts to advance subcontracting issues while also highlighting the achievements of individual chapters. In 2025, Mike had the opportunity to meet with several chapters, ensuring that our members are well-informed and engaged:

• ASA Shenandoah Chapter
• ASA Western Pennsylvania
• DC Metro
• ASA Louisiana
• ASA of Colorado
• ASA of Baltimore

We express our gratitude to the Attorneys' Council for their ongoing contributions to ASA and the GRC. Their efforts have been instrumental in providing a wealth of resources, including numerous articles for Contractor’s Compass, as well as webinars and podcasts. They are currently preparing compelling legal arguments for significant cases concerning construction subcontractors in the supreme courts of Texas, Oregon, and Colorado.

The ASA Government Relations Team eagerly anticipates 2026, as we aim to build upon the advocacy achievements of this year. We extend our heartfelt thanks for your unwavering dedication to our initiatives, which greatly contributed to our legislative successes in 2025. Wishing you health and happiness in the New Year!