Momentum for reforming BABA implementation at HUD continues to grow. A recent Politico article highlights increasing bipartisan concern over the ability to source domestic materials with calls from BABA reform champions, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE), to make changes at HUD.
What They’re Saying: Rep. Mike Flood, chair of the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, leader of the pro-business Main Street Caucus, and lead sponsor of the Build Housing Affordably Act says:
“When you’re trying to build an affordable home for a family that’s working their tails off, and you are spending time in compliance trying to make sure that not one component in the front door lock has something from another country — that is a perverse outcome.”
Labor stakeholders are now publicly acknowledging that HUD’s BABA implementation is facing significant challenges, particularly its slow process to approve waivers.
Call to Action on Approaching Deadline: Comments on the HUD RFI are due July 20. NH&RA plans to submit a comment and is happy to help others draft comments. Please share this request widely and ask your contractors/procurement teams to comment as well. See our June 24 edition for more information on submitting a comment.
Go Deeper: Nixon Peabody published an insights alert that further discusses compliance uncertainty for BABA requirements at HUD.
