As we move into 2025, there’s no denying the many changes happening in Washington, D.C. The arrival of a new presidential administration and a fresh Congress present both challenges and opportunities for the electrical contracting industry. However, NECA is uniquely positioned to advocate for policies that support our members and advance the interests of electrical contractors across America.

A critical development with the election of a new president is that several key cabinet members have long-standing ties to NECA, such as incoming Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Their deep understanding of the electrical contracting sector will be pivotal as we continue to build relationships and advocate for policies that benefit our contractors and the workforce they support. 

Additionally, NECA is proud to celebrate a historic milestone with the election of the first NECA contractor, Rep. Rob Bresnahan of Pennsylvania, to the U.S. House of Representatives. His presence in Congress will undoubtedly strengthen our voice on Capitol Hill as he champions policies that promote growth and sustainability in the electrical contracting sector. I also look forward to working with leaders in Congress like Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune and a whole host of decision-makers on critical issues affecting contractors nationwide. 

Looking ahead to 2025, our top legislative priorities remain focused on issues that directly affect our industry: 

Tax reform: We will continue to advocate for reforms that benefit electrical contractors, including fair treatment of the industry in tax rates, credits, deductions and overall fiscal policy. Tariffs will be of keen interest for contractors, as any significant increases could be a challenge for the entire industry. 

Permitting reform: Streamlining the permitting process is critical to reducing unnecessary delays and costs for electrical contractors, especially on large infrastructure projects that are vital for the nation’s growth. 

Modernizing retainage: Retainage has long been a source of frustration for electrical contractors. Modernizing this system to ensure fair and timely payments will help increase cash flow, reduce project risk and improve overall project efficiency. 

These priorities reflect NECA’s commitment to making it easier for electrical contractors to thrive in a rapidly changing world. With our strong network of allies in Washington and our forward-looking agenda, 2025 is shaping up to be a year of great progress for our industry. And NECA is perfectly positioned to be the face of the industry.

David Long
NECA CEO