What it May Mean for Construction Contractors
Today President Trump nominated Alexander Acosta to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Labor.  The news comes one day after Andrew Puzder withdrew his nomination. AGC issued a statement on the nomination of Acosta, click here to read.
Despite today’s nomination, the DOL Secretary position is likely to remain vacant for some time longer, construction contractors are unlikely to see regulatory actions to delay, change or unwind the previous administration's most controversial regulations any time soon.  In the absence of a confirmed Trump administration secretary and his staff, career DOL personnel are generally reluctant to make significant policy decisions--like withdrawing from litigation against the silica or overtime rules; revisiting the injury and illness record-keeping rule with controversial positions on post-injury drug testing and safety incentive programs; or rolling back the paid sick leave regulation for direct-federal contractors.
Acosta will have to undergo review by a government ethics office, meet with senators, have a confirmation hearing and a confirmation vote. Despite Mr. Acosta having been previously confirmed by the Senate for prior government positions this could take several weeks. In the meantime, uncertainty will remain concerning the future of the previous administration's regulatory legacy.
For more information, contact Jim Young at [email protected] or Jimmy Christianson at [email protected].