As we head to Capitol Hill, ABMA members will focus on three core priorities affecting the cost of housing and the ability of locally owned building material dealers to compete and grow.
Housing Supply and Affordability
Key legislation: Housing for the 21st Century Act and the ROAD to Housing Act
Congress is currently considering a bipartisan housing package aimed at increasing supply and improving affordability. The legislation includes provisions to encourage zoning reform, expand financing tools for housing development, and reduce regulatory delays that slow construction.
ABMA supports the effort to address housing supply and recognizes the importance of bipartisan momentum on this issue. At the same time, stronger action is needed to move the needle in a meaningful way.
That is why ABMA has developed the Building Homes – Not Costs plan. The proposal focuses on controlling the cost of government mandates and delays in the building process—two factors that significantly drive up the cost of new housing.
During our meetings in Washington, ABMA members will encourage Congress to build on the current legislation and pursue solutions that more closely align with the Building Homes – Not Costs approach.
Credit Card Swipe Fees
Key legislation: Credit Card Competition Act
The Credit Card Competition Act has been a top priority for ABMA and the retail building materials industry for years.
Today, two payment networks dominate the credit card market, allowing them to set interchange fees with little competitive pressure. These fees continue to rise and are ultimately paid by merchants and their customers.
Passing this legislation has proven difficult. The effort has been mired in a pitched battle against some of the largest financial institutions in the world.
However, recent developments—including the President’s endorsement of the bill—have created new momentum. For the first time in several years, there is a real opportunity for Congress to advance reforms that introduce competition into the credit card network system and help lower costs for businesses and consumers.
Regulatory Reform for Small Businesses
Key legislation: Prove It Act
Federal regulations often place a disproportionate burden on small businesses. Large corporations have teams dedicated to compliance, but independent businesses must manage those requirements with far fewer resources.
The Prove It Act strengthens protections for small businesses under the Regulatory Flexibility Act by requiring federal agencies to more rigorously evaluate how regulations affect small companies before they are implemented.
The goal is simple: ensure the regulatory system works for small businesses, not just the largest corporations.
For ABMA members, this legislation represents an important step toward maintaining a regulatory environment where locally owned businesses can continue to compete and thrive.
