Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) recently led a group of 20 Senate Republicans in urging the Trump Administration to rescind a Biden Administration rule mandating Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects. The Senators expressed concern that the regulation would hinder competition and increase construction costs on projects funded by federal agencies.
The letter to President Trump, signed by Britt and 20 of her Republican colleagues, argued that the final rule threatens to “delay work on federal construction contracts” and undermines “free market competitiveness.” The Senators called on the Trump Administration to reverse the policy and reinstate what they described as “long-established government neutrality” in federal contracting.
The PLA requirement, finalized by the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council and published on December 22, 2023, applies to federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more. The administration has framed the rule as a means to improve efficiency and labor standards on major projects, but opponents argue it disproportionately benefits unionized firms and could exclude nonunion contractors from the bidding process.
Senator Britt emphasized that the rule would “severely inhibit merit-based competition and cost taxpayers billions of dollars annually.” She previously joined Senator Todd Young (R-IN) in reintroducing the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA), which seeks to prohibit the federal government from mandating PLAs on taxpayer-funded projects.
Industry voices have echoed these concerns. Tim Harrison, Chairman of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Alabama Board, stated, “PLAs negatively impact merit-shop contractors, reduce competition, and increase cost.” He praised Britt’s advocacy for competitive and efficient federal contracting.
Alabama is one of 24 states that currently prohibit government-mandated PLAs at various levels of public construction, according to state law.
The full list of Senators joining Britt includes Jim Banks, John Barrasso, Ted Budd, Kevin Cramer, Lindsey Graham, Chuck Grassley, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Jim Justice, Cynthia Lummis, Mitch McConnell, Rick Scott, Rand Paul, Mike Rounds, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, Roger Wicker, Todd Young, Tim Scott, John Hoeven, and Bill Cassidy.
