Meet at Home with Your Members of Congress

NAHB members across the nation can build on the success of the June Legislative Conference by meeting with their lawmakers in their home districts in August to discuss key issues that affect the home building industry.

More than 1,000 builders, remodelers and associates engaged in all facets of the residential construction industry trekked to Capitol Hill on June 11 to urge their lawmakers to act on three key policy areas that will help builders increase the production of quality, affordable housing:

1. Tax policy. NAHB urged lawmakers to pass a tax package that includes pro-housing and pro-business policies.
2. Energy codes. NAHB urged Congress to pass the Energy Choice Act, legislation that would prevent state and local governments from banning the use of natural gas energy in new homes.
3. Workforce development. NAHB called on Congress to pass the CONSTRUCTS Act, bipartisan legislation pending in the House and Senate that will help prepare young adults for rewarding careers in construction and other essential trades.

Thanks in large part to our Federation’s grassroots efforts, soon after the NAHB Legislative Conference, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), legislation that was signed into law by President Trump on July 4. OBBBA is sweeping tax and domestic policy legislation that includes several important housing and business provisions that will benefit small businesses, real estate and our members.

Most notably, NAHB was able to secure key wins regarding state and local tax deductions for individuals and pass-through businesses as well as providing more resources for affordable rental housing by significantly expanding the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. This is a major victory for the housing industry.

On the workforce development front, NAHB helped secure nine cosponsors for the CONSTRUCTS Act between the bill’s introduction and the NAHB Legislative Conference held on June 11. Since then, eight more lawmakers have signed onto the House bill for a total of 17 cosponsors.

The Energy Choice Act was introduced on June 5 with 38 bipartisan House cosponsors and three Senate cosponsors. Since the NAHB Legislative Conference, the Energy Choice Act now has 69 House cosponsors and five Senate cosponsors. This bill is important for housing because any attempts by state and local governments to impose a gas ban would exacerbate the housing affordability crisis by increasing costs on new homes, eliminate consumer choice and further strain America’s already stressed electric grid.

With Congress in recess until the week of Sept. 8, NAHB members are encouraged to join with their local HBAs and schedule meetings this month with their representatives and senators in their home districts to seek support for the following legislation:

• CONSTRUCTS Act. Urge your senators and representative to cosponsor this legislation (House bill H.R. 1055 and Senate bill S. 189), which will help ease the severe construction labor shortage, improve the housing supply and bend the rising housing cost curve across the nation.
• Energy Choice Act. Ask your senators and representative to cosponsor this legislation (House bill H.R. 3699 and Senate bill S. 1945). The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently forecast that U.S. households using natural gas spent about 42% less on heating this winter compared to those using electricity. This important legislation will preserve energy choice for home owners across the country, ensuring they can continue to access the most affordable energy options available.
• The PERMIT Act. Ask your representative to support passage of the PERMIT Act (H.R. 3898), legislation that is expected to be voted on by the House in September. Among the significant headwinds facing the home building industry is an unpredictable regulatory landscape that adds costs and reduces the availability of buildable lots — making housing more unattainable. The PERMIT Act provides the necessary clarity and confidence needed under the Clean Water Act permitting process and respects environmental protections.