Top Three 1/11/19

1. House Passes Small Business Legislation

While much of the legislative business on the Hill during the opening days of the 116th Congress has centered around government funding, the House of Representatives was able to pass two NECA-supported pieces of legislation. The first piece of legislation, H.R. 226, introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez (D-NY), Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH), and Representatives Josh Harder (D-CA) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS), would require federal agencies to report the total amount of spending in the “best in class” designation and the breakdown of these amounts by socioeconomic categories. The second, which passed the House last Congress, H.R. 227, introduced by Chairwoman Velazquez and Representatives Harder and Trent Kelly (R-MS) will allow subcontractors a proper channel to file a formal notification to the federal government of their lack of prompt payment. The dispute process would go through the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (‘OSDBU’) and would then require this office to determine the validity of a claim and the resolution process.

NECA's Look Ahead »

2. Trump Nominates Wheeler to be EPA Administrator

On January 9, 2019, President Donald J. Trump formally nominated Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

NECA's Look Ahead »

3. Federal Government Partial Shutdown - What NECA Contractors Need to Know

Now in its third week, the partial shutdown of the Federal Government has left many contractors unsure of how to proceed and, once the shutdown ends, what remedies, if any, they will have for time lost and costs incurred. NECA has partnered with the renowned law firm of Smith, Currie & Hancock to provide greater and more detailed information for electrical contractors on what they need to know about the partial shutdown.

What NECA Contractors Need to Know »