Chairwoman Nancy Mace Announces Hearing On Biden Administration’s Project Labor Agreement Mandate

(Washington, D.C., June 21st, 2024) — Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation Chairwoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) will hold a hearing titled "Stifling Competition and Inflating Costs: The Biden Administration's Reckless Project Labor Agreement Mandate."

This hearing will examine the Biden Administration's ill-conceived mandate forcing companies engaged in federally-contracted construction work to submit to pre-hire collective bargaining agreements known as project labor agreements (PLAs). The hearing aims to expose how this misguided policy not only tramples on worker freedom but also inflates costs for taxpayers and stifles fair competition in government contracting. Our office is determined to hold the Administration accountable for this overreach that puts union bosses ahead of American workers and taxpayers.

"The Biden Administration’s project labor agreement mandate is a radical departure from normal competitive contracting procedures,” said Chairwoman Mace. “When the Obama Administration pressed federal agencies to mandate PLAs, they overwhelmingly chose not to do so, since PLAs raise taxpayer costs by reducing bids and imposing cumbersome union work rules. The Biden Administration is now doubling down by making PLAs mandatory. This Administration clearly has no qualms about using the federal contracting process and taxpayer dollars to bestow favors on political allies and intervene in employee relations at private firms, instead of enabling fair and open competition for federal contract work.”

The mandate, which was implemented in January, discriminates against the majority of construction workers and firms that are not unionized. This is because Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) usually mandate hiring through a union hiring hall and require adherence to union work rules.

Hearing Details:

Subject: Cutting Competition in Contracting: The Administration’s Pricey Project Labor Agreement Mandate

Date: Thursday, June 27, 2024

Time: 2:00 p.m. ET

Location: 2154 Rayburn House Office Building

 Witnesses:

- Ben Brubeck, Vice President of Regulatory, Labor and State Affairs, Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

- Glenn P. Ledet, Jr., Executive Director, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority

- Aric Dreher, Vice President and General Manager, Cianbro

This hearing is open to the public or can be watched live on Mace.House.Gov/media/hearings

For media inquiries please contact Gabrielle.Lipsky@mail.house.gov. 

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