Investing in America and Investing in American Workers
- Executive Order Number
- 14126
- President
- Joseph R. Biden Jr.
- Signed
- September 6, 2024
- Published
- September 11, 2024
- Source
- Federal Register
- Original Document
- https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-09-11/pdf/2024-20712.pdf
AI-Generated Summary
Executive Order 14126: Investing in America and Investing in American Workers
Purpose
The purpose of Executive Order 14126 is to enhance the implementation of the Investing in America agenda by promoting the creation of high-quality, well-paying jobs, particularly union jobs, through federal financial assistance programs. It aims to support equitable workforce development, improve worker health and safety, and ensure economic security for workers.
Key Actions or Directives
- Implementation Priorities: Agencies are directed to prioritize projects that:
- Promote positive labor-management relations through instruments like project labor agreements and collective bargaining.
- Enhance worker productivity with family-sustaining wages and policies to prevent discriminatory pay practices.
- Provide critical benefits such as paid leave, health care, and retirement benefits.
- Increase access to high-quality jobs for workers from underserved communities and combat workplace discrimination.
- Strengthen workforce development through high-quality training and portable credentials.
- Protect worker health and safety through policies encouraging supplemental safety training and union participation in safety systems.
- Implementation Approach: Agencies are instructed to:
- Use application evaluation criteria that prioritize projects adopting the outlined priorities.
- Publish best practice guides and engage with applicants during pre-award processes.
- Collect relevant data to track progress and promote compliance with federal laws and commitments.
- Develop staff expertise and consult with the Department of Labor to ensure effective implementation.
- Investing in Good Jobs Task Force: A task force is established to coordinate policy development and support the effective implementation of the order. It is co-chaired by the Secretary of Labor and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, with members from various federal departments and agencies.
Significant Changes to Policy or Law
- The order does not create new laws but enhances the application of existing federal financial assistance programs by prioritizing projects that meet specific labor and workforce development criteria.
- It encourages the use of high labor standards, such as prevailing wages and project labor agreements, more extensively than before.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Implementing agencies will need to adjust their project selection criteria and processes to align with the order's priorities. This may require additional resources and training for staff.
- Citizens: Workers, particularly those from underserved communities, may benefit from increased access to high-quality jobs with better wages, benefits, and safety standards.
- International Relations: While primarily focused on domestic policy, the emphasis on union jobs and high labor standards could influence international trade and labor agreements.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Workers and Unions: Especially those in construction, care workforce, and underserved communities, who stand to gain from better job opportunities and labor conditions.
- Employers and Developers: Those seeking federal financial assistance will need to align with the order's priorities to be competitive in funding applications.
- Community Organizations: Groups involved in community benefits agreements will have increased opportunities to influence project outcomes.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The order is implemented consistent with existing laws and subject to the availability of appropriations. It does not create enforceable rights or benefits but guides the administration of federal financial assistance.
- Constitutional: The order is issued under the President's executive authority, consistent with the Constitution and laws of the United States.
- Political: The order reflects a policy emphasis on labor rights and equitable economic growth, which may be contentious among different political groups, particularly regarding the promotion of union jobs and the potential impact on project costs and timelines.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.