House Republicans are preparing to scrutinize President Biden’s executive order on the use of “project labor agreements” that critics call a “radical departure” from typical competitive contracting processes.
According to the Ministry of Labor, a project labor agreement (PLA) is a pre-employment collective bargaining agreement negotiated between a labor union and a construction contractor to set out the terms and conditions of employment.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R.S.C.), chair of the House Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, IT, and Government Innovation, said that by mandating the PLA, the White House is “having no qualms about using the federal contracting process and taxpayer dollars to favor political allies instead of allowing for fair and open competition in federal contracting work.”
According to information obtained exclusively by Fox News, at the hearing scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m., Mace is expected to open by accusing President Biden of “being in the pocket of the labor unions” and characterizing the 2022 executive order as “a blatant move to retaliate against my fellow union members.”
Biden administration accused of ‘brazen’ attempt to ‘weaponize’ unionization
“This administration isn’t focused on fair competition and professional judgment, but on political expediency and pleasing union bosses. The American people deserve better than a president who puts union coffers above the lives of hardworking non-union construction workers across the country,” Mace would say.
One of the witnesses at the hearing is Ben Brubeck, vice president of Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. He, Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Executive Director Glenn Ledette and Cianbro Vice President Aric Dreher are expected to deliver similarly scathing testimony about the impact the order will have on their ability to bid on government contracts.
In his speech, Brubeck plans to criticize the impact of the order on his business and challenge the notion that collective bargaining agreements must be in place early in the hiring process in order to bid on federal jobs.
Pompeo calls Weingarten ‘most dangerous person in America’ after spat with teachers union boss
“On behalf of the National Association of Contractors, I represent the voice of thousands of great large and small construction contractors and millions of employees who want nothing more than to compete to deliver taxpayer-funded projects safely, on time and on budget for our private and government customers,” Brubeck said in comments obtained exclusively.
“But the special interest government protectionism that underpins the Biden administration’s harmful pro-PLA policies effectively prevents China from doing so,” he would say.
Brubeck goes on to cite President Biden himself proudly claiming to be “the most pro-union president in history.”
Click here to get the FOX News app
The executive order’s requirements went into effect in January, according to a committee statement. Republicans on the committee have argued that the order discriminates against nonunion construction companies.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the subject of the hearing.
