NRMCA Fighting for Industry Priorities in Congress’s COVID-19 Response

Over the past two weeks, NRMCA and its allies have been continuously engaged with lawmakers and staff in an effort to ensure that ready mixed concrete companies and the construction industry are included in relief efforts.

State of Play: While things shift from hour to hour in Washington, as of noon yesterday the Senate’s bipartisan Saturday/Sunday agreement on this bill had fallen apart as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi expressed opposition over the weekend and cobbled together a House “Phase Three” proposal - a $2.5 trillion discombobulation of random spending and outlandish far-left demands. The situation is further complicated because the Senate needs 60 votes to move to vote on anything – and Leader McConnell is down five senators who have either tested positive or are self-quarantining after possible exposure. The House, which is in recess, has logistical issues with in-person voting and has canceled votes for the foreseeable future given the need to minimize members’ contact with others. However, Speaker Pelosi has threatened to call members back to vote if needed.

Industry Priorities: Among other items, NRMCA’s Government Affairs team has engaged the Senate over the paid leave provisions in H.R. 6201; the designation of the ready mixed concrete industry and the construction industry broadly as a distressed industry eligible for relief funds; tax provisions in Phase Three; the importance of infrastructure and the importance of designating construction as an essential service.

Unified Front: In all these communications, NRMCA, NSSGA and PCA have made every effort to present a unified, joint message, including construction industry associations whenever possible and advocating for the construction industry broadly, not only ready mix, cement and aggregates.

State Advocacy: In addition, NRMCA’s Government Affairs team has worked in unison with our state and local government affairs teams to empower our state affiliates and our members to communicate the importance of the construction industry, urging their respective governors to designate it as essential. To date, a number of states have declared construction an essential service. You can see more on NRMCA’s resource page here and you can send a letter to your governor here.

Infrastructure: As the potential for an economic crisis grows, the talk of infrastructure as a potential mid- to long-term economic stimulus and recovery plan has increased. While it is not expected to be included in Phase Three, we expect it to be in Phase Four or Phase Five. NRMCA has joined the Transportation Construction Coalition and other groups in advocating for passage of an infrastructure bill as soon as possible.

For a deeper dive, click on our Government Affairs Committee COVID-19 updates here and here. For more information, contact Andrew Tyrrell at atyrrell@nrmca.org.