Both the U.S. House and Senate are observing a two-week recess/work period that concludes on April 28. The break comes on the heels of a busy April 7 week when House GOP leadership pulled off a narrow, party-line win on a budget resolution (identical to one passed earlier in the Senate) that will now frame the tax policy and reconciliation debate – and allow it to begin in earnest – in the coming weeks. On April 1, Republican candidates won two special congressional elections in Florida, bringing the current partisan breakdown to 220 Republicans and 213 Democrats in the House. And MBA members raised their concerns and heard directly from elected officials, key staff, and other subject-matter experts during our traditional, tailored CREF track at the recent National Advocacy Conference (held on April 8-9). 

Top 3 Things to Know from Washington

1. MBA Pushes for Action on Reintroduction of Trigger Leads Bills

MBA has issued a Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA) Call to Action urging members to contact their U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators to cosponsor the Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act of 2025 (H.R. 2808 and S. 1467, respectively). Reintroduced by Representatives John Rose (R-TN) and Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Jack Reed (D-RI) in the 119th Congress, this important piece of legislation would eliminate the abusive use of mortgage credit trigger leads – during both multi- and single-family real estate transactions – while preserving their deployment in appropriately limited circumstances.

A coalition letter of support for the reintroduction of this bipartisan, bicameral measure can be found here. Click here to see the supportive statement from MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB.

2. House and Senate Approve Identical Budget Frameworks; Sets the Stage for Major Tax Policy Debate

The full House recently passed a version of the Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Resolution (House Concurrent Resolution 14) that mirrors a framework recently/previously adopted by the Senate. The 216–214 vote, passed along party lines, formally sets the stage for a sweeping tax reconciliation package as Congress begins to debate the fate of expiring provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)

More specifically, the resolution framework sets in motion a high-stakes process that will likely feature sharp disagreements between fiscal hawks and moderates over revenue, spending priorities, and the size, scope, and targeting of tax relief. For the real estate finance sector, the outcome of this debate could significantly impact key tax incentives that support an ongoing public appetite for commercial/multifamily real estate investment. MBA remains actively engaged with lawmakers and key staff in hopes of ensuring that favorable current tax provisions — including those benefiting mortgage borrowers, lenders, and investors — remain protected. 

3. Bipartisan LIHTC Expansion/Improvement Legislation Reintroduced 

Last week, a bipartisan coalition of House lawmakers reintroduced the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 (AHCIA), H.R. 2725, a comprehensive bill to expand and strengthen the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Introduced by Reps. Darin LaHood (R-IL) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA) (and more than 100 original co-sponsors), this legislation reflects existing support for targeted solutions to the nation's affordable housing shortage. Senate companion legislation is expected to be introduced at the end of this month.  

The bill includes a 50 percent increase in Housing Credit allocations over two years, a reduction in the Private Activity Bond financing threshold from 50 percent to 25 percent, and new basis boosts for developments in rural, Tribal, and extremely low-income communities. If enacted, the legislation is projected to finance nearly 1.6 million new affordable rental homes over the next decade. MBA has long supported enhancements to the LIHTC program as a cornerstone of multifamily housing production. The reintroduction of the AHCIA ensures that LIHTC-related policies will likely be a central component of the broader tax policy debate in the months ahead.

NAC25 Recap

Our recent National Advocacy Conference (NAC25) provided an opportunity for roughly 600 MBA members from across the country to gather in Washington, D.C., including more than a hundred commercial/multifamily members who lobbied their elected officials while participating in a robust, separate CREF track. Those attendees engaged directly with lawmakers, senior congressional staff, and key regulatory officials on CREF-focused priorities ranging from commercial/multifamily tax policy to CFPB and HUD regulatory concerns to the cost and availability of insurance.

MBA’s President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB joined former Fannie Mae CEO Hugh Frater for a fireside chat about the housing GSEs, the potential for releasing Fannie and Freddie from conservatorship, and the distinct nature of the GSEs’ multifamily lending programs.
Registrants also had the chance to hear from a great lineup of guest speakers, including HUD Secretary Scott Turner, Senate Banking Committee Members Thom Tillis (R-NC), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Mark Warner (D-VA), House Financial Services Committee Members Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) and Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY), and National Journal’s The Hotline managing editor Kirk Bado. The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum was a fitting location for the conference’s signature reception, with both policymakers and key congressional staffers in attendance. Save the Date for NAC26 – April 14-15, 2026, in Washington, D.C.! We also offer a special thank-you to our event sponsors, including our CREF track sponsors! 
MBA presented its annual Burton C. Wood Legislative Service Award during NAC to Rebecca “Becky” Sandiland, CMB, Senior Loan Advisor at Belay Bank Mortgage. The award is given annually to an MBA member in recognition of his or her sustained superior service to the association and the real estate finance industry as an effective and engaged advocate.
Attendees from each state delegation enjoyed a special meet and greet and photo op with a cabinet secretary and their elected officials.
More than 400 MBA members, representing 43 states, participated in 285 scheduled Capitol Hill meetings on Wednesday, April 9.

MBA Holds Hill Briefings on Responsible GSE Release

 

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MBA has held several (in-person and virtual) briefings for House and Senate staffers this year to discuss the potential for a thoughtful release from conservatorship for two of the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, by both the Trump administration and Congress. 

MBA will continue to advocate aggressively that any release of the GSEs avoid market disruption by focusing on critical core principles developed by MBA’s Board-level GSE Task Force, including an explicit, “fully-paid-for” government guarantee on the GSE’s mortgage-backed securities (both multi- and single-family MBS) – while maintaining the separate, unique nature of the Fannie/Freddie multifamily platforms as a key capital source. 

Get Ready: MAA Action Week, May 12-16

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SIGN UP to participate in this year’s Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA) Action Week, set to be held from Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16. MAA Action Week is a national, industry-wide campaign dedicated to helping real estate finance professionals learn how to become more engaged in political advocacy that supports our industry. 

This year’s goals include: 

  • 100 organizations participating
  • 1,500 new MAA sign-ups
  • 5,000 MAA membership renewals

Commercial/Multifamily MAA members only make up about 10% of our grassroots affiliate’s total active population. Help us increase that participation by encouraging more industry professionals to join/renew their annual membership. Remember: you do not have to be an MBA member to join and engage in MAA.

MAA unites all of our industry by allowing those who join to play an active role in advocating for our preferred public policy outcomes – both legislative and regulatory. You are the experts – and your voice is needed to play a role conducting this vital work – especially with so many new elected officials in the current Congress. 

During MAA Action Week, MBA will provide you with all necessary resources to make your campaign a success, including a communications plan, sample emails, social posts, and graphics in advance – making it an easy “copy and paste” exercise for you and your designated staff. We will also host a 30-minute Zoom prep meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 1:00 PM ET to review all MAA Action Week materials ahead of your planned campaign. A calendar invitation will be sent to all participating company captains.

The LARGER the Group, the LOUDER the Voice.

Register for MAA Quarterly Webinar: Beyond the First 100 Days

Join MBA's Legislative and Political Affairs team for our next MAA Quarterly Webinar: Beyond the First 100 Days on Thursday, May 1, from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. This virtual event will provide a recap of MBA's National Advocacy Conference, as well as an update on Congress and the administration, including key regulators – helping to define what it all means for our members. Learn how the MBA works with decision makers to support our public policy agenda.

Your RSVP will establish or renew your MAA membership. Please use the code MAA2025 to receive complimentary access to this online seminar.

MORPAC, MBA's Federal Political Action Committee, Update 

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MBA kicked off 2025 by hosting 35 executives and top MORPAC donors in Washington, D.C. to attend the 60th Presidential Inauguration activities, including a kick-off reception at the MBA Townhouse (503 Second Street, NE – on the Senate side of Capitol Hill) which included special guest FHFA Director [then nominee] Bill Pulte.

Since the start of this calendar year, the D.C. fundraising community has worked with MBA’s Legislative and Political Affairs staff to host a half dozen events at the MBA Townhouse. If you or your team are planning to be in Washington and need a space to meet, please reach out to ereilly@mba.org for more details. 

MAA and MORPAC leaders hosted two events during the Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention & Expo:

MORPAC hosted a leadership reception where attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from MBA leadership and senior staff about our ongoing CREF industry priorities, as well as the importance of engagement and contributing directly to MORPAC.
The following day, MAA hosted an Advocacy “Lunch and Learn” event where attendees had the opportunity to hear about the direct relevance of our association’s Advocacy Programs – and how each participant could become more deeply involved.

On April 7, MORPAC hosted a reception and fundraiser dinner to kick off NAC25, raising over $50,000 ($20,000 of new money). This annual "thank you" event is a benefit provided to our top donors for their generous contributions and to honor them for giving back to our industry.

SIGN UP to participate in MORPAC’s annual Action Week, June 23-27, 2025, and run a MORPAC company campaign (executive or grassroots). Help us make a bigger impact by supporting candidates who support the real estate finance industry. Help us make an impact by actively participating in the political process and showing your support for our industry’s PAC during this important week. 

Check out the highlights from last year’s campaign. Once again, MBA will provide sample solicitations and daily contribution reports to make your campaign a success.

ICYMI, read MORPAC’s Year-End Report, which details our progress during the prior 2024 election cycle. 

Representing MAA Locally

The Mortgage Action Alliance recently sponsored the Mortgage Bankers Association of South Florida’s “Insight to Impact” event where Jamey Lynch, MBA’s AVP of Political Affairs, broke down the political landscape for attendees.

Share With Us Your #MAAMinute

#MAAMinute is MAA’s new social series that offers a glimpse into the world of advocacy and policy work, “showcasing” the behind-the-scenes efforts, challenges, and successes of staff, advocates, and policymakers. Email maa@mba.org so that your advocacy in action can be featured!

Kimberly Taynton, Vice President & Senior Underwriter, and Andrew Edelstein, Map Underwriter, at BWE met with Senate Banking Committee Member Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and discussed (with his staff) various FHA Program initiatives and other commercial/multifamily policy priorities emphasized at NAC.

Upcoming Q2 MBA Advocacy Events 

MAA and MORPAC will host advocacy receptions at the following MBA-sponsored conferences:

MBA Advocacy Lunch & Learn at Commercial/Multifamily Finance Servicing and Technology Conference (CMST)
Monday, May 19, 2025, from Noon – 1:00 PM ET
RSVP HERE

Save the Date: MORPAC Reception at MBA’s Chairman’s Conference 
Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM ET

If your company is interested in sponsoring one of the advocacy events above, please let us know. A corporate investment in MORPAC’s administrative fund is an excellent way for member companies to support MBA’s advocacy efforts. All contributions benefit MORPAC’s fundraising campaigns and events, strengthen membership relations, and support grassroots initiatives and other necessary expenses – allowing MORPAC to operate successfully and without undue financial burden.

We hope you enjoyed reading this! 

By responding to a Call to Action alert from MAA, opening an email from MAA, registering for an MBA conference or contributing to MBA's political action committee (MORPAC), you are agreeing to renew your membership in MAA for one year (365 days) from the date of your action. Please note that you may terminate your membership at any time by emailing maa@mba.org. There are no membership dues.

Mortgage Bankers Association
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