Why it Matters

The American Council of Engineering Companies invested $1,078,371 in Q2 2025 lobbying expenditures through an all in-house team. This represents a substantial quarterly lobbying investment for the organization representing nearly 6,000 engineering firms employing over 600,000 professionals. The spending reflects ACEC’s broad policy agenda spanning labor regulations, immigration reform, and federal contracting issues.

By the Numbers

  • Lobbying expenditures: $1,078,371 in Q2 2025, entirely through in-house efforts
  • Historical spending: Over $61 million in total lobbying since 2003 across 79 disclosure filings

Lobbying Team

  • Matthew J. Reiffer (former House Legislative Director, 6+ years experience)
  • Jordan David Charles Baugh (13+ years congressional service, former Senate Environment and Public Works Committee staff)
  • Katharine Mottley (former House Legislative Director)
  • Steven V. Hall (former House Chief of Staff)
  • Bradley Jay Saull (former House Homeland Security Committee staffer)
  • Fernando Perez Gomez Jr. (8 years House experience, former Chief of Staff)

Broader Context

The engineering industry faces regulatory pressures on multiple fronts. Courts have found some federal Project Labor Agreement mandates unlawful, creating uncertainty for federal construction projects. The FTC’s broader non-compete ban was vacated in September 2025, though NDA regulations remain under consideration. Meanwhile, Ukraine reconstruction efforts present potential multi-billion dollar opportunities for American engineering firms.

The Agenda

ACEC lobbied on four main policy areas in Q2 2025:

  • Fair Labor Standards Act salary thresholds affecting overtime exemptions for professional employees.
  • Project Labor Agreement regulations impacting federal construction projects over $35 million.
  • H-1B visa regulations critical to addressing workforce shortages across member firms.
  • Federal Trade Commission non-disclosure agreement rules affecting proprietary designs and client information protection.

Competitive Landscape

Other engineering firms are pursuing similar lobbying strategies. AECOM lobbied on international trade in engineering services and environmental review. Tetra Tech focused on Naval Facilities Engineering Command issues. T.Y. Lin International addressed international contracts and visa issues. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers lobbied on copyright protection for engineering standards.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively engaging with ACEC and state chapters. Rep. Pete Stauber reintroduced the “Parity in Engineering Act” with ACEC Minnesota support. Sen. Deb Fischer received Nebraska’s Engineering Champion Award from ACEC-Nebraska. The House Appropriations Energy & Water Subcommittee emphasized higher engineering design maturity before project authorization. A House Judiciary hearing explored protecting trade secrets relevant to engineering firms’ proprietary methodologies.

The Bottom Line

ACEC’s substantial Q2 investment reflects the organization’s comprehensive approach to federal advocacy. With an experienced team of former congressional staff, the organization is positioned to influence labor regulations, immigration reform, and federal contracting policies. The lobbying spending aligns with ACEC’s historical investment patterns while addressing immediate regulatory challenges facing the engineering services industry.

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