GHBA members at 2019 NAHB Legislative Conference in Washington, DC

GHBA Goes to Washington

Bradley PepperAdvocacy, Featured, Member News

Last week, GHBA leadership attended the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 2019 Spring Leadership Meeting and Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. This biennial trip gives us the opportunity to visit with our Houston-area congressional delegation and share with them the issues facing the homebuilding industry on the federal level. 

GHBA members at 2019 NAHB Legislative Conference in Washington, DC

Our efforts were focused on advocating for maintaining housing affordability by resolving trade agreements and eliminating tariffs, increasing workforce development and alleviating the labor shortage, as well as eliminating unnecessary codes and regulations which only increase the cost of housing without providing the homebuyer with tangible benefits. 

In addition, and most importantly for our region, we lobbied for an expedited flow of Hurricane Harvey recovery dollars, some of which hasn’t been appropriated for nearly two years. That said, last Monday with the leadership of our local delegation members, Congress passed a $19 billion disaster relief package, of which Texas will receive nearly $5 billion. 


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Although it was a short week as Congress recessed before noon on Wednesday, we were able to meet with five members of our Houston-area congressional delegation including Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia, Congressman Al Green and Congressman Michael McCaul. 

As with our biennial Texas Association of Builders (TAB) Rally Day at the Texas Capitol, this is a special opportunity for our members to meet and directly engage with our federal delegation members on issues and legislation that affect the housing industry.  In addition to our day on the Hill, GHBA members and staff had the opportunity to participate in numerous council and committee meetings and receive updates on legislative and regulatory initiatives, as well as listen to an expanded economic forecast for the construction industry.

About the Author

Bradley Pepper

Government Affairs Director Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA)

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