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On December 14, �鶹��ý of America and two of its chapters, the Dallas-based TEXO chapter of the association, and the statewide �鶹��ý of Texas chapter, filed suit in federal court to block the Biden administration’s effort to impose a COVID-19 vaccine mandate on federal contractors and subcontractors. �鶹��ý noted that many of its members that regularly construct federal projects are already being harmed, as key employees leave for other jobs in the industry to avoid the strict federal mandate. �鶹��ý’s filing includes a motion for a temporary restraining order and statements from a number of contractors detailing the damages they have already begun to experience because of the new federal contractor vaccine mandate. That mandate is different from the broader vaccine mandate that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has sought to impose on all firms that employ 100 or more people. That rule gives workers the option to be tested weekly, instead of being vaccinated. �鶹��ý filed a legal challenge against that “emergency” OSHA standard in November.

Joins DOL & NLRB in Interagency Initiative to End Retaliation

�鶹��ý of America and two of its chapters, the Dallas-based TEXO chapter and the statewide �鶹��ý of Texas chapter, filed suit in federal court on Dec. 14 to block the Biden administration’s effort to impose a COVID-19 vaccination mandate on federal contractors and subcontractors. The groups noted that many of their members that regularly construct federal projects are already being harmed, as key employees leave for other jobs in the industry to avoid the strict federal mandate.

Updates Technical Assistance Guidance

ConsensusDocs recently posted a free webinar on Construction Price Escalation that helps owners, general contractors, and trade contractors alike navigate the unprecedented price spikes and supply chain disruptions wreaking havoc on the industry. You can access the webinar here, as well as other valuable resources available on the ConsensusDocs Price Escalation Resource Center that includes links to sample language provided in the ConsensusDocs 200.1 Price Escalation Amendment.

The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) recently announced several proposed changes to CEQ’s NEPA rules, which impose environmental review requirements on all federal agencies that carry out, authorize, permit, or fund actions with potential environmental impacts. The Biden Administration released a statement that this is part of their whole-of-government approach to tackling climate change and confronting environmental justice. �鶹��ý submitted comments on the November 22 deadline and also signed on to a coalition comment letter in response to the proposal.

The Biden Administration’s Commerce Department announced that it will double anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber producers, from 8.99% to 17.99%. Earlier this year, Commerce said it planned to increase the tariffs to 18.32% but agreed to further study the issue after significant bipartisan pushback from Congress, which �鶹��ý supported at the time.

While Congress averted a government shutdown on December 2 by passing an extension of fiscal year (FY) 2021 government funding, their inability to agree on new FY 2022 spending levels will hinder new and increased funding provided for in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) from becoming available. Here’s what you should know:

�鶹��ý Preparing Lawsuit to Further Bolster Mandate Challenges