2024 Government Affairs Year in Review
NECA's Government Affairs team broke new ground in 2024!
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NECA SuccessLegislative Wins: NECA’s Government Affairs team championed key legislative initiatives, notably the successful passage of the FAA and WRDA Reauthorization bills.
NECA also advocated for the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support and supported a Senate permitting reform package.
Largest Legislative Gathering of Industry Professionals: In May, NECA hosted over 150 contractors and industry professionals from 26 states for the NECA Legislative Conference.
Key issues like tax reform and permitting were discussed, culminating in 164 Capitol Hill visits and a congressional reception.
Regulatory Achievements: NECA achieved significant regulatory successes in 2024, impacting the electrical contracting industry.
National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Rule: Through NECA's efforts, $50 million in grants were allocated for EV chargers, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure across the nation.
Registered Apprenticeships: NECA collaborated with the Department of Labor to advocate for grants that support public-private partnerships. These initiatives are designed to expand, diversify, and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships, providing a skilled workforce for the electrical industry.
Regulatory Comments: NECA actively engaged in the regulatory process by submitting comments on several key regulations, including:
National Apprenticeship System Enhancements: Ensuring that apprenticeship programs are effective and aligned with industry needs.
Clean Energy for New Federal Buildings and Major Renovations: Advocating for standards that promote sustainability in federal construction projects.
Apprenticeship and Prevailing Wage Bonus under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA): Supporting measures that incentivize apprenticeship programs and ensure fair wages.
Opioid Crisis Initiative: NECA collaborated with the Biden Administration on the "White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, " which launched in March 2024.
Political Engagement: NECA connected members to key Members of Congress and invested nearly $2 million in 170 congressional races, ensuring significant industry representation.
Advocacy Website: NECA revamped its Advocacy and PAC website, offering tools for members to understand and communicate NECA’s legislative impact.
NECAPAC's Election Success
Election Cycle Impact: NECAPAC proudly reports a 94% success rate among the 194 candidates supported in the 2024 Election, ensuring that contractors' voices are heard in shaping the economy.
Why it matters: This success underscores NECAPAC's influence and commitment to advocating for the electrical contracting industry at a national level.
Upcoming Report: Watch for NECAPAC’s Election Cycle Report, detailing the 2024 performance and advocacy efforts.
Acknowledgments:
PLC Members & Chapters: A heartfelt thank you to our 140 PLC Members and 54 PLC Chapters for their unwavering support and advocacy throughout the election cycle. View the full list on the NECAPAC Website.
2024 NECA Winners: Congratulations to our winners, showcasing outstanding achievement and dedication:
Chairman’s Challenge: San Diego Chapter
Capitol Competition:
Dirksen Group (≤14 members): Arkansas Chapter
Russell Group (15-30 members): Inland Empire Chapter
Longworth Group (31-49 members): Alaska Chapter
Rayburn Group (50+ members): Puget Sound Chapter
Go deeper: Visit the NECAPAC website for more on the 2025 Capitol Competition.
118th Congress Gavels Out
Congress's Lame-Duck Session: The 118th Congress ended with a flurry of legislative action following the 2024 midterms.
Why it matters: Lawmakers were under pressure to resolve key issues before the new session, leading to significant legislative developments.
American Relief Act: Passed on December 20, 2024, it extends funding through March 2025, includes $110 billion for disaster relief, and suspends the debt limit for two years.
Final Outcomes: In its last days, Congress achieved compromises on critical funding but left contentious debates unresolved.
The bottom line: NECA contractors can celebrate significant wins this year, including billions in infrastructure funding, progress on permitting reform, groundwork for tax reform, and electing a NECA contractor to Congress.
Welcome to the 119th Congress
New Legislative Session Begins: On January 3, 2025, Congress opened a new session amidst a politically charged atmosphere.
Why it matters: Republicans hold a narrow majority in the House and a more secure one in the Senate, setting the stage for intense political negotiations and potential power shifts with swing votes.
NECA's Advocacy: NECA sent a letter to all 535 Congressional offices urging action on key issues vital to the electrical contracting industry:
Secure Prosperity Through Tax Reform: NECA urges Congress to make permanent the pass-through deduction for S-Corporations, repeal the estate tax, and expand research & development expensing.
Invest in Our Nation’s Infrastructure: Congress should continue to invest in our nation's infrastructure by fully funding the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the CHIPS and Science Act and work to enact a new Highway & Transit Reauthorization bill.
Greenlight Growth with Permitting Reform: The National Environmental Policy Act and Clean Water Act processes take an average of seven years for approval. Congress should enact permitting reform measures to speed up project approvals.
Building the Workforce That Powers America: Congress should back private-sector registered apprenticeship programs for future electricians and oppose any changes to the Davis-Bacon Act or limit the use of project labor agreements.
Procurement Reform: Deliver Faster, Smarter. Small businesses are the backbone of the economy. Congress should improve the change order process and lower federal retainage rates, as these commonsense solutions should have strong bipartisan support.
Inauguration Day: President Donald Trump was inaugurated for his second non-consecutive term on January 20, 2025, marking a historical first since Grover Cleveland.
Our thought bubble: NECA congratulated President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the new administration to advance the electrical contracting industry.
Policy Shifts: On his first day, President Trump signed numerous Executive Orders:
- Halted $300 billion in green infrastructure funding
- Why it matters: This action affects numerous clean energy projects, such as wind farms and electric vehicle manufacturing, potentially freezing opportunities for electrical contractors involved in renewable energy initiatives.
- Issued the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order
Why it matters: This signals a policy shift towards traditional energy sources. This could lead to increased opportunities in oil, gas, coal and nuclear sectors, affecting the types of projects available to electrical contractors.
Review Period: Agencies are assessing policy consistency with new directives, with disbursements resuming only if aligned with recommendations. This pause may lead to legal challenges and affect future project
funding.
The bottom line: These executive actions signify a major policy shift, necessitating strategic adjustments for NECA contractors to align with federal priorities.