Archive for October 2023

Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Takes Effect January 1, 2024, Without Further Congressional Action Last week, we wrote about the importance of the CTA and its impact on our membership.  As a reminder, in December 2020, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).   Per the Financial Crimes…

This Week in Congress This week, the House continued to determine their next Speaker and the Senate resumed their work on the Administration’s nominees and a spending bill package. Return to the ASAToday page to read more articles.

Supplemental Aid for Israel, Ukraine, and More… This week, the Biden Administration requested a $100 Billion in supplemental aid for Israel, Ukraine, the southern border, and U.S. disaster assistance.  Senate Majority Leader Schumer said he wants to move quickly on this request; however, some House Republicans are still against including Ukraine in the supplemental package. …

Congressional Security Alert Both chambers’ sergeants-at-arms and the Capitol Police alerted the congressional community they are increasing security in anticipation of protests related to the Israel-Hamas war. Protests by several groups are expected on Capitol Hill, including “Jewish Voice for Peace,” which has a permit. Expect an increased police presence on the Hill, with limitations…

ASA’s FY24 NDAA’s Procurement Priorities On October 12, 2023, ASA, along with the Construction Industry Procurement Coalition (CIPC), sent a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committee Leadership highlighting their suggestions and proposals for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2024. EXCLUDE: Senate Section 2811 – Temporary Expansion of Authority…

Regional Hydrogen Hubs Last Friday, October 13, 2023, President Biden announced seven regional hydrogen hubs that were selected to receive $7 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to accelerate the domestic market for hydrogen. The seven selected regional hydrogen hubs will catalyze more than $40 billion in private investment and create jobs, bringing the total…

Revised Federal Workplace Drug Testing Guidelines The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has formally revised federal workplace drug testing guidelines to clarify that using medical marijuana under a doctor’s recommendation in a legal state is not a valid excuse for a positive THC test.  In a pair of notices set to be published in the…

Update on the Deficit Per the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the official federal deficit for FY23 was nearly $1.7 trillion, an increase from just under $1.4 trillion a year earlier. Excluding the effects of the now-voided student debt relief plan, total federal spending increased to 11 percent in FY23 over last year, or $625 billion,…

Social Security Increase Per the Social Security Administration, shrinking inflation has decreased the annual cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security beneficiaries to 3.2 percent next year, down from the 8.7 percent raise seniors received for 2023. Some of that figure will be lowered by the annual increase in Medicare Part B premiums, which could be nearly…

Overtime Rule Comment Period Remains November 7th The Department of Labor has denied requests to extend the comment period for the proposed changes to the overtime pay rule. As a result, comments must be submitted by November 7th. Return to the ASAToday page to read more articles.