AGC Weighs in on Spending Bill

As the majority of Congress spent the holidays back home, House and Senate Appropriations staff were working to finalize an omnibus spending bill for the remainder of fiscal year 2014.   In order to avoid another government shutdown on Jan. 15, the appropriators must agree to spending priorities at the funding levels established in the December budget agreement.   AGC sent a letter to House Appropriations Chairman Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) and Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) urging them to enact adequate levels of investment for federal construction program in 2014, instead of relying on another continuing resolution that would continue to prohibit new federal construction starts and allow further cuts through sequestration.  AGC is hopeful that with the budget deal, the opportunity for Congress to return to a traditional appropriations process will be provided and that the deal will allow a full analysis of federal spending priorities.  The breakdown of the traditional budget and appropriations process of the past three years has had a direct impact on the construction industry – this includes, but is not limited to, a prohibition on new start construction projects and $4 billion in cuts to federal construction programs through sequestration. AGC will continue to educate Members of Congress as to the importance of investing in our nation’s critical infrastructure and work to ensure that federal construction programs receive adequate funding levels in fiscal years 2014 and 2015. For more information, please contact Sean O’Neill at (202) 547-8892 or oneills@agc.org.