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Open-shop advocates worry that the so-called “Cash for Caulkers” bill will shut out some nonunion contractors. , formally called Home Star, passed the U.S. House of Representatives today.

The bill limits energy-saving rebates to work performed by contractors who received training either in union programs or from the Home Builders Institute, said Geoff Burr, vice president of federal affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors.

Any qualified contractors should be allowed to do work under the program, Burr said. “Why be exclusionary?” he said. “I can’t figure out why, in the current economy, when the goal is to get as many people back to work as possible.”

The work would include caulking, adding insulation and replacing inefficient doors and windows. While this program is limited to homeowners, a commercial bill will probably follow, Burr said.

That would have a bigger effect on ABC members. “Language that appears in this bill could be retained in a forthcoming bill,” Burr said.