NAHB Leadership Lobbies Lawmakers Ahead of Legislative Conference

On May 1, NAHB Chairman Carl Harris and First Vice Chairman Buddy Hughes met with several U.S. senators on Capitol Hill to address a wide range of important housing issues.

Harris and Hughes reiterated the importance of housing and homeownership to the economy and urged lawmakers to focus on supply chain, regulatory, codes, workforce development and tax issues to help stem rising housing costs. They also stressed that a vibrant housing market is critical to maintain robust job and economic growth.

Discussions were held with the following Senate leaders:

• Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.)
• Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho)
• Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.)
• Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.)
• Senior staff of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
• Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
• Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.)
• Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

Harris and Hughes urged the senators to act on a number of key issues, including many that will be highlighted during the June 12 NAHB Legislative Conference:

Transformers

• NAHB urges Congress to support an additional $1.2 billion in the fiscal 2025 appropriations process to boost production of sorely needed transformers. Costs for transformers have soared 72% since February 2020, and shortages of electrical distribution transformers are delaying housing projects across the nation.
  
  

HUD/USDA Minimum Energy Standard

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have issued a final rule that requires all HUD- and USDA-financed new single-family construction housing to be built to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and HUD-financed multifamily housing be built to 2021 IECC or ASHRAE 90.1-2019. This mandate will curb new construction and harm housing affordability nationwide. NAHB is urging Congress to include a provision in the fiscal year 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies appropriations bill to prevent HUD from using federal funds to implement this costly national codes mandate.

Workforce Development

• With home builders needing to add 2.2 million new workers over the next three yeas just to keep up with demand, NAHB is urging Congress to support funding for building and construction trades education and to provide more placement services to job seekers.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

• NAHB is calling on the Senate to pass the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. This legislation was passed by the House and includes tax provisions to increase resources for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and to help small businesses.

Attend the June 12 NAHB Legislative Conference

You can also have the opportunity to speak directly with your member of Congress on the key issues affecting your business and our industry by attending the NAHB Legislative Conference on Wednesday, June 12.

The meetings, held on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., are a critical part of the Federation’s advocacy efforts to keep housing issues a priority with federal lawmakers. Your participation can make a difference.

Learn more at nahb.org/legcon.