Construction trade group leaders look forward to new leadership under Trump

Leaders from two of the nation’s leading construction trade groups told Fox News Digital they are looking forward to the new Trump administration and hope fewer regulations and policies enacted under President Biden will burden their industry and prevent additional growth in their industry.

On Monday, the Biden administration announced the addition of: 1.6 million new construction and manufacturing jobs. But beneath that seemingly big announcement, Ben Brubeck, vice president of regulatory affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors, warned that “growth could be much better if we’re in the right economic and political environment.”

Brubeck noted that his association’s members are generally disappointed with the opportunities available to them under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IJA), the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS), the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and Biden’s various administration programs. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

“We survey our members fairly regularly, and the number of members reporting participation in IJA and CHIPS and IRA and ARPA-funded projects is quite low,” Brubeck said. “It was less than expected.”

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Carpenters frame the roof of a new house under construction in Nesconset, New York, February 6, 2018. (John Paraskevas/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

Brubeck noted that it takes a long time for money from these programs to be disbursed because of burdensome regulations such as permitting requirements. He also noted oppressive labor policies: project work contracts and rising borrowing costs are other factors contributing to less growth than would be seen under President Biden.

Brian Turmail, vice president of public affairs and workforce for Associated General Contractors of America, also pointed out that Biden’s major construction investments failed due to regulations and review processes.

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President Biden speaks to members of Ironworkers Local 5 after signing the executive order on project labor agreements at the union’s training hall in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, on February 4, 2022. (Getty Images)

“Our analysis is that (the Biden administration) went out of their way to influence the market, because they couldn’t help themselves but put so many kinds of social and environmental rules on top of their finances that they slowed down progress.” They wanted to see it so bad,” Turmail said. He also noted that the administration “put a lot of new rules” on semiconductor plant construction that hindered growth.

Turmail and Brubeck say they hope to grow construction industry It will accelerate under the Trump administration as companies navigate their way through federal requirements enacted under the Biden administration and see others potentially rolled back.

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President Biden has been widely criticized for his “trash” remarks about former President Trump’s supporters. (Getty Images)

“The irony is that by then President Trump Turmail said, “We expect a large increase in infrastructure construction when we return to duty.” “Because all these projects that they’ve announced funding for in the last two to three years will eventually clear the environmental hurdles and start construction.”

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“Our federal contractors are completely sidelined right now for these large-scale projects, and this all started at the beginning of the year in January,” Brubeck said. he added. “So they’re really excited about the potential for regulatory relief that’s on the horizon with the Trump administration coming into play.”

white house He did not provide on-the-record comment to Fox News Digital at the time of publication.