NASBP Government Relations Efforts Focus on Obtaining Senate Support
The months of July and August, while typically slow in Washington, DC, have been anything but that. NASBP along with other members of the Construction Procurement Coalition (CPC) have been lobbying for U.S. Senate support of three important measures that were passed out of Committees of the U.S. House of Representatives and were included as amendments to the House National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) earlier this year. They are:
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The Coalition’s work has convinced U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) to agree to introduce, after the August recess, a bill developed by the CPC. Cardin’s bill, titled the “Construction Consensus Procurement Improvement Act of 2014,” will include these three important measures listed above.
The Coalition has approached all members who serve on the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services to educate them and their staff about these measures and to encourage these lawmakers to include the measures in the Armed Service Committee’s final bill by co-sponsoring Cardin’s bill.
In addition, the Coalition has approached U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) and his staff with the same message. Portman serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Government Affairs. Earlier this month, NASBP asked Ohio NASBP members to contact Senator Portman’s office to ask him to consider co-sponsoring Cardin’s bill. At some point this fall, NASBP may contact other NASBP members and ask them to reach out to their Senators.
NASBP Meets Federal Candidates Running for Office
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Last month, NASBP Director of Government Relations Larry LeClair attended an in-person “Meet the Candidates” roundtable discussion hosted by the Business Coalition for Fair Competition (BCFC), a group of trade associations, businesses, and organizations dedicated to free enterprise. LeClair had the opportunity to meet and discuss industry issues with candidate Mike Bishop (R), U.S. House candidate for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. The office is currently held by retiring U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R). Bishop, won his primary on August 5 and will face Democratic candidate Eric Schertzing in the November General Election. Bishop previously served as the Senate Majority Leader in the Michigan statehouse. Pictured from left is LeClair, BCFC President John Palatiello, and Bishop.
LeClair also discussed similar issues with candidate Martha McSally (R-AZ), who is running for Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District Office. McSally defeated her challengers in the August 26 Republican primary race. She now faces incumbent Ron Barber (D) in the November General Election. Pictured is McSally, center, with LeClair, left, and BCFC President Palatiello, right.
The roundtable discussion centered on the latest news of each respective Congressional race, legislation and regulations affecting P3s, and unfair government competition within the private sector.
NASBP Sends Letter to Members of the House P3 Panel
NASBP sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives who serve on the special Panel on Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) that was established by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. NASBP’s letter requested that they strongly consider including bonding requirements among their written policy recommendations with respect to the use of P3 arrangements for infrastructure and transportation projects. Read NASBP’s letter, by clicking here. The House special P3 Panel was established to focus on the use of and opportunities for P3s across all modes of transportation and is chaired by Congressman John Duncan (R-TN-2nd), who spoke at this year’s NASBP Fly-in. Throughout the spring and summer, the special P3 Panel conducted hearings and is expected to issue its recommendations later this year to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
NASBP and BCFC Paper About P3’s
Earlier this year, NASBP was approached by the BCFC to jointly author a white paper on the topic of P3s providing a basic understanding of P3s while asking Congress and various levels of government not to impede, prohibit, or delay the use of P3s to help fund public projects. Once the paper is finalized and available, NASBP will notify the NASBP membership.
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