Leaders from two of the nation’s top construction trade groups told Fox News Digital they are looking forward to the new Trump administration with hopes their industry will be burdened by fewer regulations and policies enacted under President Biden that they said stymied additional growth in their sector.
On Monday, the Biden administration touted the addition of 1.6 million new construction and manufacturing jobs. However, Ben Brubeck, vice president of regulatory affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors, cautioned that beneath this seemingly big announcement, “the growth can be much better if we’re in the right economic and policy environment.”
Brubeck said his association’s members have broadly indicated disappointment at the opportunities available to them under various Biden administration programs, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IJA), the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
“We survey our members on a pretty regular basis, and the number of members who reported participation in the IJA- and CHIPS- and IRA- and ARPA-funded projects has been pretty — it’s been low,” Brubeck said. “It’s been less than expected.”
Carpenters frame a roof on a new home under construction in Nesconset, N.Y., Feb. 6, 2018. (John Paraskevas/Newsday RM vis Getty Images)
Brubeck pointed to the fact that it has taken a long time for the money from these programs to be disbursed due to burdensome regulations, such as permitting requirements. He also pointed to oppressive labor policies, such as project labor agreements and increased borrowing costs as other elements that have added to less growth than could have been seen otherwise under President Biden.
Brian Turmail, the vice president of public affairs and workforce for the Associated General Contractors of America, also noted the failure of Biden’s major construction investments due to regulations and review processes.
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President Biden speaks with members of Ironworkers Local 5 after signing an executive order on project labor agreements at the union’s training hall Feb. 4, 2022, in Upper Marlboro, Md. (Getty Images)
“Our analysis is [the Biden administration] kind of got in their own way affecting the…
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