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News

NECA Legislative Top Three 1/17/20: Win a free registration to the 2021 Legislative Conference!

Jan 16, 2020

1. House Passes Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act

The House of Representatives passed two pieces of legislation originating in the House Small Business Committee that focus on smaller businesses gaining access to federal contracts. Most notable to NECA contractors, the Unlocking Opportunities for Small Businesses Act, (HR 5146), would allow small businesses to receive credit for their previous work in joint ventures or as a subcontractor on a larger job, as opposed to the common occurrence now where some solicitations only accept previous experience as a prime vendor.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is encouraged by this legislation passage through the House and welcomes its responsible reform that will allow more NECA businesses the ability to showcase their previous work when competing for new opportunities. The government affairs staff will work with Senators on this legislation and urge its swift passage through the Senate.

2. USMCA Passes Senate

The NECA-supported United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), H.R. 5430, passed the Senate in a 89 to 10 vote, a month after passing the House by a vote of 385 to 41. 

NECA’s Look Ahead: President Donald Trump is expected to sign the agreement in the coming days. This bipartisan win is a major improvement from the NAFTA status quo. On passage, NECA CEO David Long said, “United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) marks a significant turning point in the exercising of fair trade and labor practices across North America. I congratulate President Trump on this significant accomplishment. For too long, the troublesome NAFTA agreement has inhibited the economic growth of the middle class and the industry NECA represents. USMCA will help incentivize over $68 billion in new economic activity and it includes some of the most robust worker protections of any trade agreement ever negotiated. The USMCA will allow our economy to continue on its upward trend and create more work for our contractors. This new agreement will not only allow our contractors to prosper with more opportunities, but it will also create better-paying jobs for our electricians, who are the most talented workers in America. I thank President Trump and his administration for this agreement.” 

3. Join the 2020 Chairman’s Challenge for a chance to win a free registration to the 2021 Legislative Conference!

The Chairman’s Challenge has already kicked off for 2020 and NECA members are already getting points for their chapters! Get involved in government affairs by:

  • Hosting a Member of Congress at your company, jobsite, training center, or chapter office—5 Points per visit
  • Write to your Member of Congress on a NECA priority issue through our online Legislative Action Center—1 Point per letter
  • Attend the National Legislative Conference or NextGen Fly-In—3 Points per attendee

NECA’s Look Ahead: The NECA chapter with the most points by the end of the year will win the Chairman’s Challenge. Get involved today!