Donald Beyer (D-VA)
Homebuilding Materials Tariff Relief Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is known as the Homebuilding Materials Tariff Relief Act. It exempts specific critical homebuilding products from covered tariffs that are imposed on or after January 20, 2025. The bill outlines that the President cannot reimpose these covered tariffs unless the National Association of Realtors' Housing Affordability Index reaches an average fixed index of 160 or above for a 12-month period, and a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. The legislation defines covered tariffs by listing specific exceptions, such as tariffs imposed under Title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930. It also includes a detailed list of Harmonized Tariff Schedule headings and subheadings that classify what counts as a critical homebuilding product.
Yes· 3 of 26
- Scored +7
Does this make housing cost less?
Reducing tariffs on homebuilding materials directly lowers the cost of constructing new homes.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increases the likelihood of affordable housing construction.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Construction and building material business owners face lower costs.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Exempting tariffs reduces government revenue from customs duties.
- Scored -2
Does this give the federal government more power?
Limits the President's authority to reimpose tariffs without Congressional approval.
- Scored -1
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Reduces federal revenue through tariff exemptions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Exemption of Critical Homebuilding Products from Tariffs: Section 2, subsection (a) states that beginning on the date of enactment, critical homebuilding products are exempt from covered tariffs imposed on or after January 20, 2025. This provision could lower costs for materials and inputs used in the construction and furnishing of single-family and multi-family residential buildings.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Strict Conditions for Reimposing Tariffs: Section 2, subsection (b)(1) dictates that the President cannot reimpose a covered tariff on a critical homebuilding product unless the Housing Affordability Index maintained by the National Association of Realtors reaches an average fixed index of 160 or above for the preceding 12-month period and a joint resolution of approval is enacted into law. This creates a high regulatory and legislative hurdle for altering these tariffs, which limits executive flexibility.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Construction and building material business owners face lower costs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increases the likelihood of affordable housing construction. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Lowers the cost of building or buying new homes. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults entering the housing market benefit from potentially lower home prices. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Multi-family residential building costs are lowered, which is critical for urban density. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Homeowners and builders benefit from reduced material costs. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Lowers costs for single-family home construction common in rural areas. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased construction activity can lead to more work for union trades. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Potentially improves access to affordable housing. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Potentially improves access to affordable housing. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Benefits large scale real estate investment portfolios. Would high-income households be better off under this? — Reduces costs for high-end residential construction. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Benefits those investing in real estate development. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Potentially improves access to affordable housing. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Potentially improves access to affordable housing. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Benefits luxury real estate developers. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Potentially improves access to affordable housing.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small homebuilders benefit from lower input costs for construction materials. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Lower construction costs can lead to increased housing starts and economic activity. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — Reducing tariffs on critical building materials helps lower the cost of new housing. Is this likely to create jobs? — Lowering material costs may stimulate home construction and associated employment. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Exempting tariffs reduces government revenue from customs duties. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Reduces federal revenue through tariff exemptions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Reducing tariffs on homebuilding materials directly lowers the cost of constructing new homes. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Lowering construction costs may incentivize the building of more affordable multi-family residential units. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increased housing affordability can positively impact low-income housing availability.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Removing tariffs on specific imports facilitates easier trade for homebuilding materials.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Lower material costs can support construction in rural areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — Limits the President's authority to reimpose tariffs without Congressional approval.
- 7/30/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House