House Passes Bill to Increase Federal Construction Programs

The House of Representatives recently passed an appropriations bill for nearly $60 million in federal construction work in fiscal year (FY) 2006 that sets the stage for continued growth in the federal building market. The Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill recommends increasing overall construction program spending by more than 7% over FY 2005 levels. Federal highways, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Defense all received construction spending increases of at least 5%.