{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases/magaziner-and-labor-caucus-co-chairs-urge-swift-adoption-executive-order", "Magaziner and Labor Caucus Co-Chairs Urge Swift Adoption of Executive Order on Project Labor Agreements", "2023-11-15", "2023", "2023-11", "Democrat", "House", "RI", "Seth Magaziner", "M001223", "magaziner.house.gov", "magaziner", "https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02), a member of the Congressional Labor Caucus, and the Co-Chairs of the Labor Caucus Reps. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) led 87 Members of Congress in a letter urging the swift adoption of President Biden\u2019s executive order requiring federal agencies to use project labor agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects.\n\n\u201cWe strongly support the objectives of this executive order and, given the significant amount of new planned Federal construction projects, it is critical that the executive order be finalized and implemented as soon as possible,\u201d the lawmakers wrote. \u201c[PLAs] not only serve the federal government by being a successful project delivery model, but also advance the interests of contractors and subcontractors (including small businesses), and especially workers, who deserve fair pay and benefits on the job.\u201d\n\nProject labor agreements (PLAs) are collective bargaining agreements negotiated between construction unions and contractors that establish the terms and conditions of employment for construction projects. They help ensure that federal projects are completed on-time and on-budget while also creating high-quality, stable jobs for workers, including those historically excluded from construction. Ultimately, both taxpayers and workers benefit.\n\nUnder the President\u2019s executive order, PLAs will be required for large-scale Federal construction projects that exceed $35 million in cost, but the executive order cannot go into effect until the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council finalizes a rule to implement the order. The FAR Council proposed its rule on August 19, 2022 and the comment period on the proposal closed in October 18, 2022.\n\nThis letter has been endorsed by AFL-CIO; International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC); Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Workers International Association (SMART); International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); International Brotherhood of Teamsters; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT); United Association - Union of Plumbers, Fitters, Welders, and Service Techs (UA); and the Operative Plasterers\u2019 and Cement Masons\u2019 International Association (OPCMIA).\n\nA PDF of the letter can be found HERE and the full text of the letter is below:\n\nDear Chair Harada,\n\nWe are writing today to urge the swift finalizing of the rule that will fully implement President Biden\u2019s Executive Order 14063 on Use of Project Labor Agreements For Federal Construction Projects. We strongly support the objectives of this executive order and, given the significant amount of new planned Federal construction projects, it is critical that the executive order be finalized and implemented as soon as possible.\n\nAs you know, in February 2022, President Biden issued Executive Order on Use of Project Labor Agreements For Federal Construction Projects. This order states: \u201cIt is the policy of the Federal Government for agencies to use project labor agreements in connection with large-scale construction projects to promote economy and efficiency in Federal procurement,\u201d subject to certain exceptions. The order directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council to propose regulations implementing the order, to consider and evaluate public comments, and to \u201cpromptly issue a final rule.\u201d The FAR Council issued its proposed rule in August 2022 and the public comment period closed in October 2022, over one year ago.\n\nPresident Biden\u2019s leadership on this issue must be realized with the widespread adoption of project labor agreements (PLA) across the federal government. Project labor agreements are effective tools for providing structure and stability to federal construction projects. According to the Department of Labor, PLAs increase the probability that construction projects will be completed on time and on budget. In addition, they provide employers with a reliable source of skilled workers, support equitable and diverse workforce development, and improve workers\u2019 health and safety on the job. They not only serve the federal government by being a successful project delivery model, but also advance the interests of contractors and subcontractors (including small businesses), and especially workers, who deserve fair pay and benefits on the job.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:01:09Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://magaziner.house.gov/media/press-releases/magaziner-and-labor-caucus-co-chairs-urge-swift-adoption-executive-order"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.433981116861105, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}