Reps. Kim, Garamendi, Norcross, and Pfluger Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Local Construction Hiring
Reps. Kim, Garamendi, Norcross, and Pfluger Introduce
Bipartisan Bill to Boost Local Construction Hiring
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congressman John Garamendi (CA-03), Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), and Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) introduced the bipartisan Put Our Neighbors to Work Act, a bill that would create more opportunities for local workers from military construction projects.
The Put Our Neighbors to Work Act would increase opportunities for local jobs from military construction projects by providing a preference for contractors located within the same state, or within 60 miles of the construction project. The bill would also help local workers by increasing transparency and awareness of military construction projects of over $250,000, allowing local contractors to be better informed of opportunities.
"I've heard from so many of our working people across New Jersey ready to help strengthen our Joint Base and contribute to our community; it's up to us to make sure they have the opportunity," said Congressman Kim. "This bill will help unlock the incredible local economic potential of military facilities like Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst and ensure that federal dollars coming for construction not only build new facilities, but stronger economic opportunities for working families. I look forward to working with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to get this bill passed and deliver on our promise to working people back home."
"I am proud to stand with Congressman Kim and work to ensure that union workers and small businesses are at the front of the line for multi-million dollar construction projects on military basses, especially as we work to build back from the COVID-19 pandemic," said Congressman John Garamendi, chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, which has jurisdiction over all U.S. military bases, installations, and buildings. "Local workers are ready, able, and willing to do the job of rebuilding our nation's military installations, and I am thrilled to be an original cosponsor of this critical legislation. Congressman Kim is a champion for American workers and small businesses. I will work tirelessly with him to enact his ‘Put Our Neighbors to Work Act' into law."
"As our economy continues to reopen, New Jersey's union workers and working families need our support and deserve access to local job opportunities," said Congressman Norcross. "This bill would ensure our small businesses and workers are aware of the open opportunities within our community at the Joint Base. I'm pleased to work with my colleagues in support of this initiative, which will increase transparency and level the playing field for local workers, small businesses and subcontractors."
"Small businesses and local contractors are repeatedly excluded from competing for construction projects on military bases around the Nation," said Congressman Pfluger. "I am proud to join Rep. Kim and Rep. Garamendi to increase transparency of available military construction projects and prioritize local hiring, therefore ensuring the local communities that support military bases continue to benefit from the economic boon of their presence."
The full text of the Put Our Neighbors to Work Act can be found here, and summary of the bill can be found here.