The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) is pleased to submit these comments on proposed U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS), National Marine Fisheries Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (the agencies) Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat; Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). In general, NSSGA finds much of the proposed changes unjustifiably add to confusion and the scope of the ESA.

The undersigned organizations representing the Rail Customer Coalition (RCC) urge the renomination of Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Martin Oberman and Member Patrick Fuchs. The RCC is a collection of trade associations representing a broad cross-section of manufacturing, agricultural, energy and other industries that depend on the railroads to deliver reliable and affordable service so our members can remain competitive in the global market. Our members collectively provide more than 7 million jobs and produce more than $4.8 trillion in economic output.

On July 13, 2023, The Mine Safety Health Administration (MSHA) published a proposed rule, “Lowering Miners' Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica and Improving Respiratory Protection.” (Silica Standard). The Silica Standard provides for a public comment period of 45-days, which expires at midnight eastern time on August 28, 2023. The National Stone Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) requests an extension of the public comment period for an additional 60-days and proposes that the public comment period be extended until midnight eastern time on October 27, 2023.

On behalf of the Jobs and Careers Coalition (JCC), we appreciate the HELP Committee’s July 27 executive session to markup five bills drafted to address America’s workforce shortages. Despite job gains, the disconnect between job openings and workers filling those jobs is such that there would be 1.9 million more workers on the payrolls if the Labor Force Participation Rate was the same as in February 2020. The JCC is a Washington, DC-based business group focused on job training and workforce development.

On behalf of the 450 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), we write to share our strong support for H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act and express our gratitude for advancing this crucial piece of legislation. We are delighted to see bi-partisan support for reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and endorsing aviation safety and infrastructure programs for the upcoming five years.

The 34 national associations and trade unions of the Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC) applaud the bipartisan efforts of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to reauthorize federal aviation programs and urge all members of the House of Representatives to support passage of H.R. 3935, the Securing Growth and Robust Leadership in American Aviation Act. H.R. 3935 would support increased airport capital improvements by raising Airport Improvement Program (AIP) investment levels for the first time in nearly 20 years.

The National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association, and Portland Cement Association would like to share our opposition to Perry Amendment #58 to the National Defense Authorization Act. Collectively, the cement, concrete, asphalt, and aggregates industries are working to reduce our carbon footprint. A critical part of that is advancing the use of lower-carbon versions of these critical construction materials that are market ready and recognized by consensus-based standards setting organizations.

On behalf of the 450 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to express our strong support for the Reliable Rail Service Act.

On behalf of the 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), I am writing to share our support for S. 912, the Mining Schools Act of 2023 and thank you for your leadership in drafting this critical legislation.

The undersigned diverse group of construction and business associations strongly support the Fair and Open Competition Act (H.R. 1209/S. 537) ––introduced by Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., and Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind.––and urges members of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to vote in support of this legislation at the markup expected to occur on June 12.