President Obama's Health Care Speech to Congress on 9/9/09.
[9/10/2009] - President Obama's strong message to Congress and Americans that Health Care Reform has to be done now. link

US Congressman John Dingell (D-MI) files H.R. 3200 for affordable health care on 07/14/09.
[8/4/2009] - HR 3200 main objective is 'To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. ' Bill more

Secretary Napolitano Strengthens Employment Verification with Administration's Commitment to E-Verify
[7/8/2009] - E-Verify rule goes into effect on September 8,2009 for contractors and subcontractors that do federal projects. No match rule to be rescinded in favor of E-Verify. more

Senator Franken's 1st Act after being sworn in as Minnesota's Junior Senator
[7/8/2009] - "I just became a cosponsor of my first bill in the Senate, the Employee Free Choice Act," the Minnesota Democrat declared at a gathering at the AFL-CIO on Tuesday evening. link

OP-ED from National Building Trades President Mark Ayers on the Employee Free Choice Act.
[7/1/2009] - Article was published in the Summer 2009 issue of the Construction Users Roundtable Magazine. link

Representative Michael Michaud, ME files legislation HR 3012 relating to foreign trade agreements.
[6/24/2009] - To require a review of existing trade agreements and renegotiation of existing trade agreements based on the review, to set terms for future trade agreements, to express the sense of the Congress that the role of Congress in trade policymaking should be strengthened, and for other purposes. more

US Department of Energy Working to Finalize $18.5 Billion in Nuclear Loan Guarantees
[6/3/2009]

President Obama announces nominees for National Labor Relations Board
[4/24/2009] - Press release from the White House announcing nominations to several agency posts. more

Representative John Kline, MN files legislation HR 2026 to get federal funding for non-union training programs under the "Green Jobs" program.
[4/22/2009] - Introduced. Green Jobs Improvement Act - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to make nonunion training programs eligible for federal funding under the energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training program (Green Jobs program). Applies certain worker protections and nondiscrimination requirements to such programs. more

Senator Bernie Sanders,VT files legislation S 703 to provide for health care for every American and to control the cost and enhance the quality of the health care system.
[3/25/2009] - Introduced. American Health Security Act of 2009 - Establishes the State-Based American Health Security Program to provide every U.S. resident who is a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful resident alien with health care services. Requires each participating state to establish a state health security program. more

Senator Edward Kennedy, MA files legislation S 560 to amend the National Labor Relations Act.
[3/10/2009] - Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit. more

Representative George Miller, CA files legislation HR 1409 to amend the National Labor Relations Act.
[3/10/2009] - Introduced. Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 - Amends the National Labor Relations Act to require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to certify a bargaining representative without directing an election if a majority of the bargaining unit employees have authorized designation of the representative (card-check) and there is no other individual or labor organization currently certified or recognized as the exclusive representative of any of the employees in the unit. more

Joe Bertucci, Longtime Louisiana Building Trades Leader, Passes Away
[2/17/2009] - Joseph M. Bertucci, the Executive Secretary of the Southeast Louisiana Building and Construction Trades Council, and President of the Louisiana State Building Trades Council and the longest serving Building Trades Council officer in the United States passed away on February 13.  He was 83 years old. link

Letter to the Honorable Senator Harry Reid
[2/11/2009] - President Mark Ayers sends letter to Senator Reid on the Stimulus Package in the U.S. Senate. link

Letter sent to the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the US House of Representatives.
[2/11/2009] - President Mark Ayers sends letter to Speaker Pelosi on the Stimulus Package in the U.S. House. link

Senator Barbara Mikulski, MD files legislation S 388 to extend H-2B Visas above the 66,000 annual cap.
[2/5/2009] - Introduced Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2009 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to extend for three years after the date of enactment of this Act the annual cap exemption for returning H-2B aliens (temporary nonagricultural worker). Provides that such amendment shall: (1) take effect as if enacted on December 1, 2008; and (2) apply only to petitions with an approved start date in FY2009-FY2011. more

Senator John Conyers, MI files legislation HR 676 to expand Medicare for all Americans
[1/26/2009] - Introduced. United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act - Establishes the United States National Health Care (USNHC) Program to provide all individuals residing in the United States and U.S. territories with free health care that includes all medically necessary care, such as primary care and prevention, prescription drugs, emergency care, long-term care, mental health services, dental services, and vision care. more