Press Release: Congressman Fulcher & Idaho Businessowner Join Forum to Discuss Impact of Supply Chain Crisis

The following Press Release was sent out by Congressman Russ Fulcher. Press Releases sent out by elected officials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Congressman Russ Fulcher and his Republican colleagues in the Natural Resources Caucus hosted a forum to discuss the impact of America’s supply chain crisis. Joining the forum, Idaho business owner Steve Martinez discussed challenges that the supply chain crisis has caused his business, Tradewinds General Contracting, Inc. Increasing shortages over the past six months have caused delays, additional costs, and layoffs for the custom homebuilding business and its contractors.

“Our industry is constantly being hammered by delay after delay from a shortage of materials that we cannot get to complete a home. We have several homes sitting with nothing going on in them, accruing interest and deteriorating in quality, because we cannot get the materials needed to complete the home,” explained Steve Martinez. “The domino effect this is having on our industry is costing the builder, subs, suppliers, and homeowners thousands of dollars that no one had planned on. […] We have one client that these delays and costs to get alternative materials have cost the homeowner almost $200,000. This isn’t money that is going into upgrades or amenities, rather to build the exact same house they thought they were getting when we signed contract. This is killing affordability for homeowners and killing jobs across the country.”

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Congressman Russ Fulcher added, “From the grocery store to Christmas gift shopping, Americans across the country are feeling the impacts of this supply chain crisis in their everyday lives. For many business owners, these supply chain shortages and delays have infiltrated nearly every facet of their business. This manufactured crisis has caused business owners large and small to raise the costs of their products and services, lay off employees, and in the worse cases close up shop. I am thankful to Mr. Martinez for joining us this morning as a witness and look forward to working together to advocate for business owners in Idaho and the United States.”

Unlike the overregulation and inflationary spending policies being pursued by the Biden Administration and Congressional Democrats, Republicans are focused on addressing the supply chain by empowering American businesses and improving access to resources here in the United States.

Under this strategy, Congressman Fulcher has led efforts on several initiatives, including:

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• The “American Energy First Act” to streamline leasing and permitting for onshore and offshore conventional and renewable energy development to increase domestic production and address energy supply shortages.
• The “Resilient Federal Forests Act” to promote better management of our overstocked national forests and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires, which has decimated the supply of forest products.
• The “Building U.S. Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Review (BUILDER) Act” to streamline National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects to create jobs, reduce project costs and support economic growth.

Background on Tradewinds General Contracting, Inc.:

Tradewinds General Contracting, Inc. started with a passion for building and remodeling in 1980 by founders Ted and Debbie Martinez. In 2006, Ted and Debbie’s son, Steve, took over the business and he is equally as passionate about delivering quality residential homes in the Treasure Valley. Since then, the scope of Tradewinds General Contracting has expanded to include a variety of commercial projects as well.

To read Mr. Martinez’ full testimony, click here.
To watch Mr. Martinez’ speaking to the forum, click here.
To watch Congressman Fulcher’s remarks, click here.
To watch the full forum, click here.

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