BAC Applauds Congress for Passing the Inflation Reduction Act

[Washington, D.C.] – The International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC) hails the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and congratulates Congress for taking the bold steps to make it a reality. The IRA is transformative legislation representing a significant step toward addressing climate change, one of the biggest challenges of our time. It also lowers drug costs and extends health care coverage to those who need it. 

The strong labor protections included in the IRA’s $300 billion in tax credits will help ensure workers on clean energy projects receive fair wages and benefits. The legislation contains high-road labor standards for construction of clean energy projects, while ensuring that apprenticeship programs will play a critical role on renewable sector jobsites. The IRA also includes a long-needed provision empowering Medicare to negotiate with drug companies to lower the price of vital medication that millions of Americans need. 

“The Inflation Reduction Act shows that addressing climate change does not have to come at the expense of good jobs,” said BAC President Tim Driscoll. “In addition, every working family will greatly benefit from allowing Medicare to finally negotiate prices, curtailing the drastic increases in the cost of life-saving prescription medications. We thank President Biden, Majority Leader Schumer and Speaker Pelosi for their leadership to pass this pivotal legislation.”