Tuberville and Britt Urge Reversal of Biden-Era Construction Mandate

July 15, 2025 - WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a move that intensifies Republican opposition to President Joe Biden's federal labor policies, U.S. Senators Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt of Alabama have called for the rollback of a regulation requiring Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on large-scale federal construction projects.

In a letter addressed to former President Donald Trump - despite the rule originating under the Biden administration - Tuberville, Britt, and twenty other Senate Republicans urged the administration to rescind the mandate and restore what they described as "government neutrality" in federal contracting.

"The nation's builders, union and nonunion alike, deserve a level playing field," the letter states. "We respectfully request that you reverse this Biden administration policy and restore the long-established government neutrality in federal and federally assisted contracting."

The final rule, published on December 22, 2023, mandates PLAs for federal construction projects valued at $35 million or more. According to its critics, including Tuberville and Britt, the policy discourages merit-based competition, increases taxpayer costs, and unfairly favors unionized labor.

Senators joining the appeal include prominent Republicans such as Mitch McConnell (KY), Lindsey Graham (SC), Rand Paul (KY), Rick Scott (FL), and Chuck Grassley (IA), signaling broad party support for reversing the directive.

Supporters of PLAs argue they improve project efficiency and workforce standards, but GOP lawmakers contend the rule stifles free-market principles and excludes many nonunion contractors.

As debate over federal labor rules continues, the letter reflects ongoing tensions surrounding labor policy, government contracting, and partisan visions of economic governance.