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This week, the US House of Representatives is considering legislation to finance the Highway Trust Fund. During consideration, the House is expected to consider dozens of amendments, including an important amendment by Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) that prevents Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements from being applied to highway projects. ATR supports this common-sense, pro-taxpayer amendment and urges all members of Congress to vote for this provision.

Under the Davis-Bacon Act, the federal government is forced to pay contractors working on federally funded construction projects prevailing market wages. Unfortunately, the Department of Labor currently uses a highly flawed methodology to determine fair market wage, which results in workers receiving pay 22 percent above market value.

By preventing federal highway dollars from being wasted on Davis-Bacon prevailing wage, Congressman King’s amendment ensures that finite resources are spent in a responsible way and infrastructure projects pay workers a wage that truly reflects the free market.

This common-sense amendment will ensure the federal government efficiently spends precious taxpayer resources on important highway projects. ATR supports this important amendment and urges it to be swiftly added to Highway Trust Fund legislation.