Washington, D.C. – On June 28, 2025, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey expressed strong opposition to a new Senate draft bill proposed by Senate Republicans.
McGarvey described the proposal as “a massive insult to the working men and women of North America’s Building Trades Unions and all construction workers.” He warned that if enacted, the bill could lead to significant job losses, likening it to terminating more than 1,000 Keystone XL pipeline projects.
The NABTU president emphasized the potential impact on employment, stating that it threatens “an estimated 1.75 million construction jobs and over 3 billion work hours,” which he said translates to “$148 billion in lost annual wages and benefits.” He also criticized the bill for potentially giving China an advantage in global energy dominance.
McGarvey asserted that NABTU’s three million members are committed to making the United States a leading energy superpower but argued that the proposed legislation would undermine this mission by removing jobs and imposing restrictions. He stated, “Slashing energy tax credits and layering on harmful restrictions is no way to power America’s future.”
The statement further condemned the proposal for prioritizing tax breaks for wealthy corporations at the expense of critical infrastructure projects. It highlighted concerns about rising healthcare premiums due to Medicaid cuts.
In conclusion, McGarvey urged Senate Republicans to seek alternatives that better support construction workers: “We strongly urge our Senate Republican allies to keep pressing their leadership and the Administration for a better path forward for construction workers.”
