2026 IBS
 
Register by Feb. 14 to Avoid Onsite Pricing in Orlando. Register now
 

Labor Bill Aims to Ease Workforce Shortage

Workforce Development
Published

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) has introduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 3734), 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.

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Sponsored Content

Feb 06, 2026

Turn Conversations Into Partnership at IBS 2026 with PWT

PWT is thrilled to return to the 2026 Builders’ Show, where we invite you to learn more about why engineered wood is the best product for stronger, straighter, quality homes. Stop by booth W3229 and the Craft Techniques Zone at IBS 2026 to get hands-on experience with PWT products and watch interactive zone demonstrations.

Membership

Feb 06, 2026

A Message from Jim Chapman, Candidate for NAHB 2026 Third Vice Chairman

The election for Third Vice Chairman will take place at the Leadership Council meeting during the 2026 International Builders' Show.

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Feb 06, 2026

The Size of the Housing Shortage: 2024 Data

Persistently low homeowner and rental vacancy rates indicate that the U.S. housing market remains structurally undersupplied.

Economics

Feb 05, 2026

Job Openings Fall as Labor Market Weakens

Running counter to the data for the full economy, the count of open, unfilled positions in the construction industry increased in December, per the delayed Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS). The current level of open jobs is down measurably from two years ago due to declines in construction activity, particularly in housing.

Economics

Feb 04, 2026

Mortgage Rates Declined Despite Higher Treasury Yields

Long-term mortgage rates continued to decline in January. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.10% last month, 9 basis points (bps) lower than December. Meanwhile, the 15-year rate declined 4 bps to 5.44%. Compared to a year ago, the 30-year rate is lower by 86 bps. The 15-year rate is also lower by 72 bps.