Congress Beats Back Attacks on Davis-Bacon & PLAs

On June 2, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives debated and voted on the Homeland Security Appropriations Bill. During those proceedings, Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) offered an anti Davis Bacon Amendment which was defeated by a wide margin, 183-234. 52 Republicans voted with us to defeat this amendment, while Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC) was the lone Democrat to vote in favor of the amendment.

Additionally, Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) offered an amendment to prohibit consideration of Project Labor Agreements by Federal Agencies. We successfully defeated the anti-PLA amendment by a vote of 207-213 with one Democrat (Rep. Dan Boren of Oklahoma) voting wrong and 28 Republicans voting with us.

This is our second victory in the U.S. House of Representatives this year on PLAs and we expect future PLA votes, perhaps again as soon as June 3. The Building Trades and its Legislative Task Force will continue its outreach efforts to Democrats and all key Republicans to protect The President's Executive Order and the ability of federal agencies to implement it.

CLICK HERE TO SEE WHICH GOP REPRESENTATIVES VOTED WITH US ON THESE TWO AMENDMENTS

This was a significant victory for all Building Trades Unions!