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News

NECA Member Contractors Unite in Washington for the 2026 Legislative Conference to Power Progress on Capitol Hill

May 12, 2026

Against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving political and economic landscape, NECA member contractors from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., May 4–6 for the 2026 NECA Legislative Conference. Hosted at the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel, the annual event brought together electrical contractors, chapter leaders, industry partners and policymakers for three days of advocacy, policy discussions and direct engagement with congressional staff and key decision-makers on Capitol Hill. 

This year’s conference centered on one clear message: electrical contractors are essential to America’s infrastructure future. As Congress prepares to debate the next surface transportation reauthorization bill and broader infrastructure priorities, NECA members arrived in the nation’s capital ready to advocate for policies that strengthen the electrical construction industry and support long-term economic growth. 

Building on the momentum of previous Legislative Conferences, the 2026 event featured expert speakers, legislative strategy sessions, networking opportunities and dozens of coordinated meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. Attendees discussed the challenges and opportunities facing contractors today, from workforce demands and tax policy to grid modernization, permitting reform and transportation electrification. 

A major focus of this year’s advocacy effort was NECA’s push for a robust 2026 Transportation Reauthorization Bill that would invest approximately $500 billion modernizing and electrifying America’s transportation infrastructure. NECA members urged lawmakers to support a minimum five-year reauthorization package with predictable funding for highways, bridges, transit and rail systems, emphasizing the importance of long-term investment, especially for electrical contractors working on complex infrastructure projects. 

Conference attendees also championed the Retainage Tax Fairness Act, a proposal aimed at providing greater tax clarity for construction businesses by ensuring contractors are not taxed on retainage payments before funds are actually received. NECA members explained how current ambiguity in federal tax law creates cash flow challenges, particularly for small and mid-sized contractors operating in tight credit environments. 

Despite the House unexpectedly being called into an impromptu district work period, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) still made the trip back to Washington, D.C., to spend time with NECA contractors and conference attendees. A longtime advocate for the construction industry and skilled trades, Congressman Norcross’s commitment to meeting directly with contractors underscored the importance of NECA’s advocacy efforts and the strong relationships built between industry leaders and policymakers on Capitol Hill. 

In meetings across Capitol Hill, contractors additionally highlighted the need for resilient and electrified transportation infrastructure, including investments in backup power systems, microgrids, intelligent transportation systems and weather-hardened electrical infrastructure. NECA emphasized that resilient electrical systems are critical to keeping transportation networks operational during emergencies and extreme weather events. 

Permitting reform and transmission modernization were also key discussion points throughout the conference. NECA members advocated for streamlining federal permitting processes, supporting concurrent agency reviews and expanding categorical exclusions for routine electrical infrastructure upgrades to accelerate project delivery nationwide. 

In addition to legislative advocacy, attendees participated in educational sessions focused on the political outlook, economic forecasting and federal infrastructure implementation. Discussions throughout the conference reinforced the growing role electrical contractors play in building America’s energy, transportation and communications systems. 

The highlight of the conference remained Capitol Hill Day, where NECA members met directly with senators, representatives and congressional staff to share firsthand perspectives from the field. These conversations provided lawmakers with real-world insight into how federal policy decisions impact electrical contractors, workforce development and infrastructure delivery in communities nationwide. 

The conference concluded with a congressional reception that celebrated the association’s continued advocacy efforts and the strong relationships NECA has built with policymakers on both sides of the aisle. Throughout the event, attendees expressed optimism about the future of the industry and the important role NECA will continue to play in shaping federal policy. 

As NECA celebrates 125 years of powering progress, the 2026 Legislative Conference underscored the association’s commitment to ensuring the voice of the electrical construction industry remains heard in Washington. By bringing contractors directly into the policymaking process, the conference once again demonstrated the power of grassroots advocacy and the importance of industry engagement at every level of government. 

This conference continues to equip attendees with the tools, connections and policy priorities needed to help advance the industry forward, reinforcing NECA’s mission to advocate for policies that support contractors, strengthen infrastructure investment and power America’s future.