Posts by Matt Zuiderhof

Tariffs Update! The Trump Administration announced a 10% tariff on most foreign imports, along with higher “reciprocal” rates for other exporters to the U.S. These tariffs were to be effective on April 9, and are based on the average tariff and nontariff barriers other nations impose on U.S. goods. The reciprocal tariffs would have affected…

ASA Supports the Water Infrastructure Subcontractor & Taxpayer Protection Act   ASA and similar-minded organizations sent a letter to the House and Senate Transportation Committee Leadership, respectfully requesting the addition of H.R. 1285, the Water Infrastructure Subcontractor & Taxpayer Protection Act, to the agenda of the next markup on pending legislation before the Transportation &…

ASA Provides Updates to Issues Critical to Subcontractors ASA continues to provide timely updates that are critical to Subcontractors in the changing business environment. These updates are offered free of charge exclusively to ASA members. Be Prepared for ICE Immigration Raids | Tuesday, April 22, 2025 ICE is actively conducting raids including silent raids and forced raids…

This Week in Congress Congress was in session this week, with the House canceling votes for the remainder of the week after a rule (H Res 282) came up short on Tuesday in response to leaders’ efforts to block a bid to allow recent parents to vote by proxy. Rep. Pettersen (D-CO) introduced a proxy…

Tariffs Update This week, the Trump Administration imposed reciprocal tariffs on key trading partners, including Canada, Mexico, China, and many European nations that have persistent trade deficits with the U.S. Last week, President Trump announced a plan to implement a 25 percent tariff on imported cars and light trucks. This measure will impact major trading…

Budget Reconciliation Update Republican leadership continues to try to build consensus to include language in the reconciliation package to raise the debt ceiling. If they can get there, the looming X-date turns up the pressure to move the process forward at a faster pace. Leadership has not resolved any of the foundational policy disputes that…

White House Agency Layoff Plans Federal officials are preparing agencies to cut 8-50% of their employees in the Trump administration’s effort to reduce federal government size. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would cut about 8,300 staff; the Interior Department nearly 25%; the IRS nearly 33%. Planned reductions include 8% at the Justice Department,…

  Administration for a Healthy America Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy proposed the creation of an agency named the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). The AHA would encompass the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Health Resources and Services Administration, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Agency for Toxic Substances…

Immigration Enforcement On Thursday, March 27th, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) to establish a task force aimed at enhancing crime control and “maximizing immigration enforcement” in Washington, DC. The EO mandates the deployment of additional federal law enforcement; orders strict enforcement of federal immigration laws; reallocates federal, state, and local law enforcement resources…

This Week in Congress   Both the House and the Senate were in session this week, following a week-long recess. Congress will be in session for the next three weeks, before breaking from April 12-27th. The House voted on the University Foreign Gift Disclosures Act (H.R. 1048), which would require federally funded colleges and universities to…