House Democrats unveiled an $825 billion stimulus package that calls for $550 billion in spending and aid to states and $275 billion in tax cuts. The legislation is expected to be formally introduced next week and Congress is poised to move quickly. Both tax-writing committees (Senate Finance and House Ways and Means) will mark up their legislation on Thursday, Jan. 22. Appropriations Committees may do so as well next week but that is still unclear.  Both chambers will then need to clear their own bills and then conference the two into a single package.  The ultimate goal is for a completed bill to be on the President’s desk by Feb. 13.

Meanwhile, NAHB this week continued its push to incorporate the Fix Housing First housing proposals into the stimulus package. Building on the momentum generated by last week's
successful “fly-in” campaign where scores of builders from across the country met with targeted members of Congress, NAHB lobbyists met with key members of Congress and congressional staff to seek broad-based political support for the plan. We conveyed the following message to lawmakers: A housing stimulus is urgently needed and restoring demand for housing is the fastest and most effective way of reviving the economy. NAHB also provided a briefing on the issue for 80 members of the HBA of Raleigh-Wake County who this week traveled to Washington to meet with their North Carolina congressional delegation to deliver the same message.

In addition, NAHB coordinated with Fix Housing First coalition members to identify key targets and assess group resources and grassroots activities and sent a letter to members of Congress outlining the dire economic situation and the urgent need to make housing stimulus a centerpiece of the recovery plan.

For more informaton, e-mail Greg Brown  or call him at 800-368-5242 x8421. [Return to top]