Capitol Hill
Trump Signs Bill to Keep Government Running
President Trump today signed legislation to fund the Departments of Defense, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Resources through fiscal year 2019, which ends on Sept. 30. All other agencies that have not yet received appropriations, including HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, will be funded at fiscal 2018 levels under a continuing resolution that will expire at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 7.
House Approves 3 Tax Reform Bills; No Plans for Senate Action
The House this week approved a package of three tax bills known collectively as “Tax Reform 2.0” that are intended to build on the enactment of last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, the Senate is not expected to act on any of the measures in this congressional session.
FAA Bill Includes Key Housing Affordability Provisions
The House has passed a five-year FAA reauthorization bill that contains a key provision championed by NAHB that will delay a major building and affordability barrier that would have started in the Pacific Northwest and quickly spread throughout the country.
Sen. Warren to Introduce Housing Affordability Bill
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) is expected to introduce the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act Sept. 26, legislation the senator says is designed to bring down costs for renters and buyers alike.
GAO Report on LIHTC Finds Wide Range in Median Construction Costs
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) today released its long-anticipated report on Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) development costs. This is the third GAO report examining the LIHTC, stemming from a request by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to examine the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the housing tax credit.
Bipartisan Group of Senators Seek Fair Resolution of Lumber Trade Dispute
In an effort spearheaded by NAHB, a dozen Republican and Democratic members of the U.S. Senate on Sept. 11 sent a joint letter to the Trump administration calling on the U.S. to resume softwood lumber trade negotiations with Canada.
House Republicans Introduce ‘Tax Reform 2.0’ bills
House Republicans yesterday unveiled their long-anticipated package of tax changes, which are intended to build on the enactment of last year’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Known as Tax Reform 2.0, it is actually a package of three bills. The House Ways and Means Committee is expected to take up the bills quickly, possibly later this week.
NAHB Study on Multifamily Regulatory Burdens Spurs Capitol Hill Hearing
A recent study by NAHB and the National Multifamily Housing Council that details how regulations account for 32% of the cost of developing new multifamily properties has caught the attention of Congress.
GSE Reform Needed Now, Coalition Says
NAHB has joined a coalition of 30 trade associations in the real estate, lending and home building industries to urge Congress and the Trump administration to lock in recent reforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and take the status of these GSEs out of limbo.
Hispanic Builders to Talk Housing with Hill Leaders
The National Hispanic Contractors Association will host two upcoming events as part of its 2018 Legislative Summit in Washington D.C. — and it’s offering NAHB members big discounts on registration.