On April 14, Buddy Henley, president of Henley Construction, Gaithersburg, Maryland, and 2024 chair of the ABC National Board of Directors, joined a roundtable with Republican Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich., to discuss how the Working Families Tax Cuts Act has delivered meaningful benefits for his family-owned company and the construction industry. 

Henley said making the small business deduction permanent has given contractors the certainty they need to plan ahead and reinvest without fear of future tax increases disrupting long-term decisions. He also highlighted permanent estate tax relief as especially important for family businesses, saying it helps companies pass from one generation to the next without having to sell assets, break up operations or jeopardize jobs. 

“All together, the Working Families Tax Cuts help construction businesses grow, invest, hire and continue building the communities we serve,” Henley said.

Henley’s comments were covered in Bloomberg Government and Breitbart News. 

Background:

On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, delivering historic tax relief to the U.S. construction industry and Main Street businesses nationwide.

ABC strongly supports the following reforms included in the bill:

• Making the Small Business Deduction Permanent and Stronger: Solidifying the Section 199A deduction will provide tax certainty for pass-through businesses, allowing contractors to reinvest in their operations and workforce without fear of future tax hikes.
• Permanent Estate Tax Relief: This provision ensures that family-owned construction businesses can pass along ownership to the next generation without facing destructive estate tax burdens.
• Restoration of 100% Bonus Depreciation: Renewing immediate expensing of capital investments through 100% bonus depreciation will encourage construction firms to invest in new equipment and technologies—boosting productivity and economic growth.
• Revived Expensing of R&D Costs: The bill permanently restores the ability for businesses to immediately deduct domestic research and experimental expenditures, providing critical support for construction innovation. Whether it’s hands-on problem-solving that happens on jobsites or improving project delivery methods, this provision gives contractors the financial flexibility to invest in finding better, faster and safer ways to get the job done right—without waiting years to see a tax benefit.
• No Tax on Overtime for American Workers: Exempting overtime pay from federal income tax delivers direct, meaningful relief to the hardworking men and women of the construction trades—rewarding long hours on the jobsite.
• Expanded 529 Accounts for Skilled Trades Training: The legislation expands the use of 529 savings accounts to cover career and technical education in the skilled trades, helping the next generation of construction professionals enter the workforce without student debt.