NECA Legislative Top Three 8/7/20: NECA Backs Executive Order Protecting Local Workforces
1. Executive Order Issued to Block Foreign Labor on Federal Projects
On August 3, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) focused on the blocking of federal agencies, or projects utilizing federal dollars, from exploiting a loophole allowing them to use cheap foreign labor through the H-1B visa program. The loophole, which allows for agencies to employ staffing firms who then hire foreign labor, is now closed following the implementation of this EO. The Order is in direct response to Tennessee Valley Authority outsourcing nearly 100 jobs to foreign labor and the resulting public outcry.
NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA supports the use of local labor and the protection of workforces from federal outsourcing of jobs to foreign entities and workforces. We encourage the administration to expand this effort and recognize that such outsourcing and similar loopholes exist in the private sector through both tiered staffing firms and the misclassification of workers.
2. NECA Joins Coalition to Advance Industry Priorities
This week, NECA joined with a large coalition of industry groups to send two letters to Congressional leadership highlighting specific priorities for the next COVID-19 relief bill.
NECA’s Look Ahead: The first letter requests flexibility to allow for additional or “second draw” PPP loans. The second letter is requesting Congress to clarify the tax status of PPP loans. NECA will continue to advocate for these issues along with our other major priorities to ensure their inclusion in the next relief bill. More draft legislation is expected next week as both Chambers continue negotiations.
3. New Mailing Address for NECAPAC
On August 15, 2020, Washington, D.C., will become the new site for NECA’s headquarters. Moving forward, NECAPAC encourages members to utilize secure online donations to ensure safe delivery of contributions. If you have never made an online contribution and would like to utilize this feature, please contact Hadlea Bothe at [email protected] or 240-800-5004 for assistance in creating an online NECAPAC profile.
If you wish to mail in your NECAPAC contributions, please send to NECA’s Capitol Hill office at:
NECAPAC
412 First St. SE
Suite 110
Washington, D.C., 20003