Mixed messaging—Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build Back Better Act
There has been some confusion regarding what is in each bill because of the oversized nature of each and the rapid development of each. For months, the fate of these two bills was inextricably tied, adding to the mixed messaging. Following are breakdowns of the bills to help get through the noise.
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
- Bipartisan, signed into law Nov. 15
- $1.2 trillion spending bill for roads, bridges, airports, community and government buildings, broadband, electrical vehicles and climate provisions, including energy efficiency and resiliency
- NRCA joined with roofing industry colleagues issuing a letter of support.
- Endorsements: NRCA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, AFL-CIO, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Home Builders, National Electrical Contractors Association, and North America’s Building Trades Unions
- Partisan, negotiations continue in Congress
- $1.75 trillion of social spending coupled with tax increases
- The Congressional Budget Office will release its cost estimate of the bill Nov. 19, which is needed in the Senate for reconciliation rules and potentially for members of the House to be comfortable voting on the bill.
- Speaker Pelosi thinks this bill will pass the House before Thanksgiving.
- The Senate will take much more time to pass it, potentially into 2022.
- Being considered under special budget reconciliation rules that only require a simple majority in the Senate to pass (instead of the usual 60)
- Includes pro-unionizing provisions and preferences to unions through new labor enforcement and penalties
- Opposition or concerns with current draft: NRCA, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, S-Corp Association, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated General Contractors of America, National Association of Home Builders, and National Electrical Contractors Association
Check out this viral video about inflation for a little comedic relief.
Republicans hold largest generic poll lead in decades
According to an ABC News/The Washington Post poll, Republican congressional candidates currently hold their largest lead in midterm election vote preferences since the polling began 40 years ago. This poll highlights the challenges Democrats face to hold their slim majority. It is still early, but Democrats must address the current economic discontent, grapple with an unpopular president and face the reality that 62% of Americans say their party is out of touch with the concerns of most of its citizens.
OSHA suspends ETS implementation and enforcement activities amid litigation developments
On Friday, Nov. 12, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed an earlier ruling blocking the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from implementing its Emergency Temporary Standard that requires employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or undergo testing for COVID-19 at least weekly. This court ruling by a three-judge panel of the appeals court is an extension of a previous temporary stay issued Nov. 6 on a lawsuit challenging the ETS that was brought by several states and charged OSHA has exceeded its authority with the ETS.
Additionally, on Nov. 16, the numerous lawsuits filed challenging the ETS in court were consolidated by a Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. Multiple lawsuits will be considered as a single case by the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals.
