On March 22, 2013, the Department of Labor expanded the Davis-Bacon Act by issuing All Agency Memorandum (AAM) 212. AAM-212 added professional survey crews to those subject to the Act. This regulation was issued without outreach to the public, the professional surveying community or legislators.

Today, however, Secretary R. Alexander Acosta is leading the Department of Labor, and he can repeal the memorandum.

The Center for Worker Freedom and Americans for Tax Reform, therefore, joined the Business Coalition for Fair Competition and 14 other groups in a letter to Secretary Acosta on October 18, 2017. The letter asked the Secretary to repeal the regulation.

The Davis-Bacon Act has been particularly harmful to Americans, especially to the victims of natural disasters. The Act increases labor costs dramatically, limiting the resources available for the victims. The Act also slows down a recovery because contractors have difficulty determining the wages they are required to pay.

The Department of Labor should not expand the Act’s coverage, but rather reduce it.

Please click here for the complete letter with signatures or see below for the letter's text.