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. MBA testified on the need for an enhanced set of VA Home Loan Program loss mitigation options before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. And MBA members took our policy priorities directly to their elected officials during our association’s National Advocacy Conference 2025 (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 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. MBA Testifies in Support of Critical Reforms to the VA Home Loan Program

On March 11, Elizabeth Balce, Executive Vice President of Servicing at Carrington Mortgage Services, testified on behalf of MBA at a legislative hearing before the Economic Opportunity (EO) Subcommittee of the full House Veterans' Affairs (VA) Committee. The hearing focused on critical reforms to the VA Home Loan Program, including concerns over the future of the VA Servicing Purchase (VASP) program and the need for a permanent partial claim solution. Balce proposed several changes to ensure the program is workable and provides maximum benefit to veterans. Independent of the hearing, MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit, CMB, released the following statement on the VA's [now-confirmed] plans to “phase-out” VASP.

Prior to the EO Subcommittee markup of a partial claim program solution, MBA’s Chief Lobbyist and SVP, Bill Killmer, wrote to provide our detailed feedback on H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, including separate amendments in the nature of a substitute (ANS) to the bill offered by both the Republican and Democratic members of the panel, respectively. Given the VASP phase-out announcement, the need for a permanent partial claim option has become increasingly urgent. The bill now awaits full committee consideration (perhaps in late April or early May).

3. House and Senate Approve Identical Budget Framework; 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 housing sector, the outcome of this debate could significantly impact key tax incentives that support homeownership and the public appetite for real estate investment. MBA remains actively engaged with lawmakers and key staff in hopes of ensuring that current pro-housing tax provisions — including those benefiting mortgage borrowers, lenders, and investors — remain protected. 

Current Calls to Action: 

Tell Congress: Co-Sponsor H.R. 2808 and S. 1467, MBA-Supported “Trigger Leads” Bills

As noted earlier, a MAA Call to Action was launched last week asking advocates to contact their elected officials to cosponsor important consumer protection legislation (H.R. 2808 and S. 1467). This important proposal – which is substantially like the proposal that passed the full Senate last Congress by Unanimous Consent – would eliminate the abusive use of mortgage credit trigger leads while preserving their deployment in appropriately limited circumstances. 

MBA will continue to work with the bill’s authors to help build additional support for the measure in both chambers of Congress – including appropriate consideration of the bills (in the near term) by the House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committees, respectively.

As a MAA member, we need you to contact your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators TODAY and tell him/her to cosponsor H.R. 2808/S. 1467 (or thank him/her for already cosponsoring).

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., to lobby their elected officials. Those MBA members pressed their lawmakers on policy priorities ranging from mortgage credit trigger leads to tax policy and housing supply to VA home loan servicing standards. Elected officials and their top aides heard from industry constituents about issues that impact housing consumers and mortgage business operations in their respective states and districts.

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! 

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.

MBA Leadership and Senior Officers with HUD Secretary Scott Turner

Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) with MBA members from Massachusetts

Senior Member of the Senate Banking and Finance Committees Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) with MBA constituents from Virginia

Chairwoman of the House Republican Conference and House Financial Services Committee Member Congresswoman Lisa McClain (R-MI) with MBA Michiganders

MBA members from New York state with House Financial Services Committee Member Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY)

More than 400 MBA members, representing 43 states, participated in 285 scheduled Capitol Hill meetings on Wednesday, April 9

MBA Holds Hill Briefings on the Responsible Release of the GSEs

MBA has been holding tailored (either in-person or virtual) briefings for House and Senate staffers discussing the potential for next steps by the Trump administration and Congress regarding a thoughtful release from conservatorship for two of the housing Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. 

MBA will continue to advocate aggressively that any release of the GSEs avoid market disruption by focusing on several critical core principles developed by MBA’s Board Task Force, including an explicit, “fully-paid-for” government guarantee on the GSE’s mortgage-backed securities and regulatory mandates for FHFA to maintain a level playing for all lenders regardless of size or business model. 

Get Ready: MAA Action Week, May 12-16

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

Only 27% of the industry professionals are active MAA members. 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 as a member of MAA.

MAA unites all industry advocates and allows them to have an active role in shaping legislative/regulatory policy. You are the experts – and your voice is needed to share how your business serves its customers –especially with so many new elected officials in Congress. 

During MAA Action Week, MBA will provide all the resources you need to make your campaign a success, including a communications plan, sample emails, social posts, and graphics prior to the kick-off of your campaign – making this an easy “copy and paste” for you and your designated staff. MBA 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 in advance. 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, an update on Congress, the administration, key regulators, and what it all means for our members. Learn about how the MBA works with decisionmakers to support our legislative agenda.

Your RSVP will establish or renew your MAA membership. Please use MAA2025 to receive complimentary access to this webinar.

MORPAC, MBA's Federal Political Action Committee, Update 

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 2nd Street NE) – which included special guest FHFA nominee (now Director) Bill Pulte.

This year to date, fundraisers in Washington have worked with MBA’s Legislative and Political Affairs staff to host a half dozen events at the MBA Townhouse (located on the Senate side of Capitol Hill). If you or your member company’s team are in Washington, D.C., and you need a space to meet, please reach out to ereilly@mba.org for more details. 

On April 7, MORPAC hosted a reception and fundraiser dinner to kick off NAC25, raising over $50,000 ($20,000 new). This annual “thank you” event is a benefit to our top donors for their generous contributions. During the first quarter of 2025, MORPAC was able to collectively raise more than $280,000 at the following 2025 MBA-sponsored conferences, including NAC25: Independent Mortgage Bankers (Austin, TX), Commercial/Multifamily Finance Convention and Expo (San Diego, CA), Servicing Solutions Conference and Expo (Dallas, TX), and Mid-Winter Housing Finance Conference (Avon, CO). Reception attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from MBA leadership and staff about our ongoing industry priorities, as well as the importance of advocacy engagement and contributing directly to MORPAC.

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 be able to provide you with sample solicitations and daily contribution reports to make your tailored campaign a success.

ICYMI, read MORPAC’s Year-End Report, which details our progress in the 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. 
 

Add the MAA CTA Plugin to Your State Association Website

MAA has the ability to provide state mortgage banking associations with a website plugin that will display a list of our Calls to Action and allow users to take action from the state website. 

The implementation process and the plugin code can be found here. 
 

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 for your advocacy in action to be featured!

Upcoming Q2 MBA Advocacy Events 

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

MORPAC Leadership Reception at MBA’s Secondary and Capital Market’s Expo 
Monday, May 19, 2025, from 4:30 PM - 5:30 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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