New Labor Bill Aims to Ease Workforce Shortages
Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) has re-introduced the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act, legislation that would help alleviate the worker shortage in the construction industry by establishing a market-driven visa system to help employers find more laborers.
Employers would be required to prove they were unable to find American workers for vacant positions, pay them fair wages based on local wage data, and use E-verify to make sure only legal immigrants are hired. NAHB believes that such a temporary, flexible visa system would help address the chronic labor shortage in the residential construction industry.
Learn more about addressing the workforce shortage issue on nahb.org.
Latest from NAHBNow
Material Costs
Aug 08, 2025
Canadian Lumber Duties Hit 35% — And May Go Higher SoonThe U.S. Commerce Department announced today that it is more than doubling its countervailing duties on Canadian lumber imports from 6.74% to 14.63%.
Advocacy
Aug 08, 2025
Lumber Talking Points Featured in NAHB’s Monthly UpdateThe update provides the latest messaging framework to help members articulate housing priorities and latest news related to Canadian lumber duties.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 08, 2025
Weaker Demand for Residential Mortgages in Second QuarterIn the second quarter of 2025, overall demand for residential mortgages was weaker, while lending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged, according to the recent release of the Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
Economics
Aug 07, 2025
Multifamily Developer Confidence Increases in Second QuarterThe Multifamily Production Index (MPI) was up two points year-over-year to 46. The Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 82, up one point year-over-year.
Economics
Aug 06, 2025
Mortgage Applications Tick Up in July as Rates Ease SlightlyMortgage application activity picked up in July as interest rates eased modestly. The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Market Composite Index, which tracks mortgage application volume, rose 2.4% from June on a seasonally adjusted basis. Compared to July 2024, total applications were up 24.5%.