Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is urging the Trump administration to repeal federal project labor agreement (PLA) mandates and pursue workforce visa reform following President Donald Trump’s Feb. 24 State of the Union address.

In a statement issued after the speech, ABC said the president’s focus on economic growth, worker opportunity and affordability aligns with its policy priorities affecting construction labor markets, federal procurement and project delivery. The association said construction employs more than 8.3 million workers and contributes more than $2 trillion annually to the U.S. economy.

A key issue for contractors is the federal PLA mandate established under the Biden administration, which requires project labor agreements on certain large-scale federal construction projects. ABC is calling for the policy to be reversed, citing federal data showing that nearly 89% of the U.S. construction workforce is nonunion. For roofing contractors pursuing General Services Administration, Department of Defense and other federal work, PLA requirements can affect labor sourcing, wage and benefit structures, subcontractor selection and compliance administration.

ABC also called for passage of the Fair and Open Competition Act, which would prohibit government-mandated PLAs on federal and federally assisted projects. The group said changes to procurement rules could influence bid strategy and crew availability for contractors competing in public-sector markets.

Workforce shortages and material cost pressures remain ongoing challenges, the association said. Roofing contractors continue to manage price volatility in asphalt, insulation, fasteners, adhesives and metal products, along with skilled labor shortages that can extend project timelines.

ABC is advocating for a market-based construction worker visa program tied to documented labor demand rather than fixed numerical caps. The association said expanded access to legal labor could help stabilize workforce supply. It also reiterated support for industry-driven apprenticeship expansion to address long-term labor needs in specialty trades, including roofing.

In addition, ABC pointed to tax policy, permitting reform and labor policy shifts at the National Labor Relations Board as areas that could affect contractor operations, capital investment and regulatory compliance. The group said contractors should monitor federal policy developments that may influence bidding, workforce availability and project requirements in the roofing and broader construction markets.