Indy Standard

U.S. Senator Todd Young, representing Indiana, has reintroduced the Fair and Open Competition Act (FOCA) along with 13 Republican Senate colleagues. The legislation aims to prevent federal mandates for project labor agreements (PLAs) on taxpayer-funded federal projects. According to proponents, this measure would increase bidding opportunities, enhance workforce competition, reduce government construction costs, and save taxpayer dollars.

Senator Young stated that the FOCA is designed to "restore competition in the construction industry," benefiting workers by allowing various contractors to compete based on merit. He emphasized his personal connection to small business and union environments as a motivator for supporting this bill.

The group of senators backing the legislation includes Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn from Texas, Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Mike Crapo of Idaho, Ted Budd from North Carolina, Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Roger Wicker from Mississippi, Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, Katie Britt from Alabama, James Lankford of Oklahoma, Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, Jim Risch of Idaho, Thom Tillis from North Carolina, and Rick Scott of Florida. In the House of Representatives, Representative Clay Higgins introduced a companion bill.

Congressman Higgins remarked on the importance of removing regulatory mandates on federal contracts which he claims violate Right-to-Work laws in several states including Louisiana. "Our bill ensures fairness in the federal contracting process and prioritizes pro-growth economic policies," he stated.

The full text of the proposed legislation is available for public review.