Sen. Young reintroduces legislation to promote competition, protect taxpayer dollars in government contracting

U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.), along with 13 of his Senate Republican colleagues, reintroduced the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA), which would prevent the federal government from mandating project labor agreements (PLAs) on federal projects funded by taxpayers. This legislation would provide more opportunities to bid on government work, increase workforce competition, lower government construction costs, and save taxpayer dollars.

“The Fair and Open Competition Act is pro-worker legislation that will restore competition in the construction industry, protect Hoosier workers from discriminatory contracts, and lower costs for taxpayers,” said Senator Young. “Growing up with a dad who ran a small business and around family members and close friends who were union members, I appreciate what everyone brings to the table. This bill strikes the right balance to ensure various contractors can bid on these projects on their own merits.”

In addition to Senator Young, U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) also introduced the legislation. Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA-3) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“The regulatory mandate on federal construction contracts undermines free and fair competition. It is a violation of Louisiana and many other state’s Right-to-Work laws,” said Congressman Higgins. “While President Trump has already taken executive action to provide relief from the PLA mandate, our legislation codifies those protections into law.  Our bill ensures fairness in the federal contracting process and prioritizes pro-growth economic policies.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.