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This Week's Top News 5/7/21

1. DIRECTOR NAMED FOR ADMINISTRATION'S "MADE IN AMERICA" PROGRAM

Last week, President Biden announced his appointment for the first director of the “Made in America” program, Celeste Drake. This program stems from the President’s executive order that increases requirements for federal agencies to “Buy American.” Celeste Drake’s background as a trade and globalization policy specialist for the AFL-CIO—among her other work—puts her in a unique position to lead this movement. Her primary task will be to monitor agency waivers from Buy American requirements to maximize the money flowing back into the U.S. economy.

NECA’s Look Ahead: As this is a new position created in the start of the Biden Administration, we will be monitoring Director Drake’s efforts to determine how this may impact our industry. We look forward to providing any insight and continuing our work with the Administration and Congress on the 2021 infrastructure package.

2. CRACKDOWN ON WORKER MISCLASS BEGINS

On Wednesday, the Biden Administration issued a new rule, rescinding the Trump-era regulation that allowed businesses to more easily consider workers as independent contractors. A seven-factor test, as opposed to Trump's two-factor test, will be used going forward to prevent worker misclass and define who can and cannot be considered an independent contractor. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor, under Principal Deputy Administrator Jessica Looman, will enforce this rule change.

NECA’s Look Ahead: NECA is pleased by this new rule and eager to monitor what happens in conjunction with its enactment. NECA has fought against worker misclass throughout the years and we are determined to continue promoting the importance of employees being protected under federal law..

Spotlight: The 2021 Capitol Competition

We are excited to announce the rollout of a new competition for 2021! The Capitol Competition groups chapters based on their size. We have created 4 different groupings, the Dirksen Group, the Russell Group, the Longworth Group, and the Rayburn Group. Check out our new webpage for weekly updates on the top three chapters in each group and additional information! You can see what group your chapter falls under here.

Be sure to scroll down to see the new section of our newsletter with updates on the Capitol Competition!