The Construction Employers of America joined with the Co-Chairs of the Congressional Building Trades Caucus to commemorate Infrastructure Week 2017, a nationwide effort to educate policy leaders and advocate for immediate investment in all forms of domestic infrastructure. The Administration and Congress have committed to enacting a major infrastructure bill this Congress, and CEA is engaged with policymakers to ensure the needs of specialty trade contractors are addressed.

“As an engineer, I understand how America’s construction workers helped build this great country,” said Congressman David B. McKinley, PE (R-WV-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Building Trades Caucus. “From infrastructure investments to corporate tax reform to streamlining regulations, there are a host of options for federal policymakers to boost job growth, drive economic prosperity, and allow America to reclaim the mantle of infrastructure leadership on the world stage.”

“Working as an electrician, I learned the value of hard work while hanging hundreds of feet above the Delaware River lighting the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. I know we need to update our aging infrastructure and that, when we invest properly, we will add high-skilled, high-wage jobs,” said Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01), Co-Chair of the Congressional Building Trades Caucus. “It’s great to stand alongside construction contractors and join them in supporting worker training and apprenticeship programs and protections, like Davis Bacon. We desperately need to invest in our roads, bridges, rails, ports, airports, Electric Grid, pipes and more; simply put: it’s time to build.”

According to a study by Professor Stephen Fuller at George Mason University, an additional $1 billion invested in nonresidential construction would add $3.4 billion to our gross domestic product, $1.1 billion to personal earnings, and create or sustain 28,500 jobs. The Administration’s stated commitment to securing $1 trillion in infrastructure investment would invigorate our economy and produce long-term job growth across the country.

CEA members are advocating key provisions be included in federal infrastructure legislation, including retaining voluntary use of Project Labor Agreements, maintaining and strengthening regional prevailing wage (Davis-Bacon) requirements, and worker misclassification enforcement.

CEA’s seven employer associations include FCA International, International Council of Employers of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Mechanical Contractors Association of America, National Electrical Contractors Association, Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, Signatory Wall and Ceiling Contractors Alliance, and The Association of Union Constructors. Our impact on the American economy is significant. We represent over 15,000 employers and 1.4 million employees nationwide. More information about CEA and our issues can be found online at www.constructionemployersofamerica.com.