In a bipartisan effort, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13) and Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19) have introduced the Tools Tax Deduction Act, a proposal that seeks to provide financial relief to apprenticeship employees and construction workers. The act aims to allow these workers to deduct the cost of tools and equipment required for their professions, acknowledging the financial challenges they face when entering the building trades.
“The upfront cost of purchasing tools is a barrier for too many folks interested in pursuing a career in the building trades,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As we work to get more men and women into good-paying union jobs, we have to make sure they can afford the equipment they need to succeed. Today, I’m proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Congressman Marc Molinaro that will make it easier for apprenticeship employees and construction workers to afford the equipment their jobs require.”
Support for the Tools Tax Deduction Act has poured in from various quarters, including labor unions and trade organizations. The International Union of Operating Engineers, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry, Construction Employers of America, International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, the Laborers’ International Union of North America, and the International Union of Painters & Allied Trades have all endorsed the bill.
Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU), applauded the proposed legislation, stating, "The job can't be done right if you don't have the right tools." He emphasized that this act would not only ensure that construction workers have the necessary equipment but also enable them to balance their own budgets and support their families.