ACEC Urges House Passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009; Repeal of Unfair 3% Withholding Mandate.

WASHINGTON -- The American Council of Engineering Companies today urged the House of Representatives to quickly pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

ACEC President and CEO David A. Raymond said: "These are critical investments in the nation's transportation, environmental, structural and energy infrastructure. The engineering industry is poised to assist state and local governments in taking on the additional planning, procurement, construction design and project management to ensure that these investments are injected into the economy rapidly."

In a letter to Congress (full text below) Raymond also emphasized that state and local governments should be prepared to use these funds to move projects forward quickly to create new jobs, but also accommodate major infrastructure upgrades, not just take care of deferred maintenance.

He added that projects that increase capacity, reduce congestion, improve safety, protect the environment, and address the nation's energy needs will sustain economic recovery over the long-term and foster the future competitiveness of our nation.

"We are also encouraged that the bill repeals the onerous 3 percent withholding mandate," Raymond said. "If allowed to take effect, this mandate would have placed unfunded burdens on state and local governments and negatively affected businesses that provide critical services to the public."

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The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) is the business association of America's engineering industry, representing approximately 5,700 independent engineering companies throughout the United States engaged in the development of America's transportation, environmental, industrial, and other infrastructure. Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACEC is a national federation of 51 state and regional organizations.