Podcast: NAHB Legal Expert Sheds Light on Next Steps for WOTUS
In the latest episode of NAHB’s Housing Developments podcast, co-hosts CEO Jim Tobin and SVP of Communications Paul Lopez welcome VP of Legal Advocacy Tom Ward to help explain the implications of the recent Supreme Court decision that rescinded key parts of the Biden Administration’s “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.
Ward provides insight into the new test to determine whether a wetland can be regulated under the Clean Water Act, after the Supreme Court rejected the previous significant nexus test. Learn more about the impact of the decision.
Listen to Housing Developments wherever you get your podcasts or watch a video of the full episode below.
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy | Environmental Issues
Dec 17, 2025
NAHB Weighs In on New WOTUS RuleIn November, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) announced a proposed updated definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), followed by a 45-day comment period to gather input on the proposed rule. NAHB members and HBA staff provided comments at three public sessions hosted by the agencies to solicit feedback.
Advocacy | Economics | IBS
Dec 17, 2025
Podcast: 2025 - The Year of HousingOn the latest episode of NAHB's podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez recap top events and priorities for the year, and what to expect for 2026, including the 2026 International Builders' Show in Orlando.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 16, 2025
Job Market Shows Signs of Cooling in NovemberIn November, job growth slowed, and the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, its highest level in four years. At the same time, job gains for the previous two months (August and September) were revised downward. The November’s jobs report indicates a cooling labor market as the economy heads into the final month of the year.
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Economics
Dec 11, 2025
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).