Dallas BA Makes Members’ Voices Heard in Washington
Dallas BA members and staff traveled to Washington, D.C. on June 15 to speak with our service area’s congressional delegation about the regulatory and economic challenges the home building industry is currently facing. With interest rates climbing that very day, as well as ongoing shortages in needed building materials, costly tariffs on lumber and a shortfall in eligible workforce, the meetings on the Hill were timely.
The shortage of housing that American families can afford to purchase has become a growing problem that can hinder the economic expansion provided by home building. The Association explained to our congressional delegation how home construction and related services account for more than 15% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, resulting in millions of jobs, both in construction and in businesses related to home building. With home prices seeing their biggest increase in the history of the National Home Price index in 2021, and mortgage interest rates increasing, Dallas BA explained how the aforementioned benefits are at risk.
Among the topics discussed with members of Congress were material supply delays and costs, how fuel prices are impacting businesses, and workforce training needs. Dallas BA voiced the need for Congress to urge the White House to suspend tariffs on Canadian lumber imports and enter back into negotiations with Canada for an effective softwood lumber agreement. We also urged support for the No Timber from Tyrants Act, legislation that would ban lumber imports from Russia and resume a more appropriate level of harvesting of timber from U.S. federal lands, while creating jobs and helping manage against forest disasters. The importance of promoting and funding job training programs was also discussed.
Top photo: David Lehde, Congressman Michael Burgess, M.D., Matt Robinson, Kent Conine, Carol Longacre
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