The construction industry is keeping a watchful eye on Congress as it prepares to tackle a long list of tax measures that expire on Dec. 31. But with few days left in the lame-duck session, lawmakers may not act by the end of the year on all of the provisions that would give construction and engineering firms a lift, lobbyists say.

The first order of business is dealing with income tax cuts dating from the George W. Bush Administration that are set to expire on Dec. 31. Republicans want the cuts to continue for all taxpayers; Democrats favor extending them for only those earning less than $250,000 per year. Construction groups favor as broad an extension as possible because the cuts affect small firms organized as partnerships and S Corporations, which are taxed at individual, not corporate, rates.