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President Biden Signs the Safer Communities Act On June 25, 2022, President Biden signed into law the first major federal gun safety legislation passed in decades entitled the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, authored by Sens. Cornyn (R-TX), Tillis (R-NC), Murphy (D-CT), and Sinema (D-AZ).  The legislation includes $750 million to help states implement and operate…

This Week in Congress This week, the Senate worked to finalize gun violence legislation, the House continued with the January 6th Committee Hearings, and the Supreme Court offered final rulings on pending cases.  House Democratic leaders presented bills that would formally establish the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health; require certain federal agencies to collect data on…

ASA Urges Biden Administration to Delay Construction Material Requirements in Infrastructure Law This week, ASA, along with the AGC, sent a letter to Senior Advisor to the President for Infrastructure Coordination, Mitch Landrieu, regarding our concerns about the new Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) requirements for construction materials included in the Infrastructure Investment Jobs…

Biden Administration Announce Talent Pipeline Challenge On Friday, the Biden Administration announced the “Talent Pipeline Challenge,” that would connect employers to organizations that offer job training, such as unions, industry associations, and community colleges.  The effort also encourages state and local government to use funding from the infrastructure law and the American Rescue Plan to…

OSHA May NOT Issue a Rule on COVID-19 Healthcare Construction The Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health recommended a separate rule on construction in hospitals from COVID-19 infections is not necessary, but should be included in the proposed permanent healthcare standard. The committee’s decision makes it unlikely OSHA will pursue a separate rule focused…

This Week in Congress The House voted this week on the Senate’s version of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which ASA supported to eliminate port congestion, along with legislation to address food and fuel prices, diversity practices at financial institutions, and wildlife recovery and conservation efforts.  Additionally, the House select committee investigating January 6, 2021…

ASA Urges Delay of New Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) Requirements for Construction Materials in the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) This week, ASA, along with the AGC and other similarly situated associations, urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to delay the new Buy America, Build America Act (BABAA) requirements for construction materials…

Oceans Shipping Reform Act Awaiting President Biden’s Signature The House voted this week to pass the Senate-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act, which empowers the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to take steps to eliminate port bottlenecks and reduce shipping rates.  Once passed, the bill will be sent for the President’s signature.  The legislation would prohibit carriers…

Senate Gun Safety Proposal Over this past weekend, a group of 20 senators (10 Republicans and 10 Democrats) reached a deal on a “framework” for a gun-control package. Senate Majority Leader Schumer, Speaker Pelosi, and President Biden are all supportive of this package. With at least 10 Senate Republicans in favor of the legislation, the…

DOL Reviews Independent Contractor Rule On June 3, 2022, the Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division announced that it is reviewing regulations addressing the distinction between an employee and an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Independent contractors are not guaranteed the federal minimum wage and overtime pay that covered employees…