NWRA voices opposition to Build Back Better reconciliation bill

The National Waste & Recycling Association (NWRA), Arlington, Virginia, joined with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other associations in a letter Nov. 19  urging Congress to address the headwinds they believe are hurting economic growth in the U.S. Specifically, the group says the Build Back Better reconciliation bill does not solve the problems facing the country’s workforce or ongoing supply issues but instead promotes policies that will worsen each of these.

“We call on Congress to work together to solve these massive challenges facing our business community,” says Darrell Smith, NWRA president and CEO. “The proposed tax increases and anti-energy provisions in the bill will harm the recovery and make it more difficult for America’s businesses to compete globally. We call upon Congress to oppose the reconciliation bill as currently drafted.” 

Despite NWRA’s objections, the House passed the bill Nov. 19. The bill, which has been met with almost universal Republican opposition, faces a significant hurdle to pass in the Senate.

The association says the proposed legislation would also overturn about 90 years of labor law and tilt the playing field in favor of unions by threatening employers of all sizes with civil penalties. Due to other budget plans in the bill, the cost of the proposed bill is significantly higher than the nearly $2 trillion price tag advertised.