Cheat Sheet

July 16, 2026

Congress Supports Hardwood Federation Comments on Chinese Lumber Purchase Commitments:  Thirty-One members of Congress signed a letter to US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressing support for comments submitted by the Hardwood Federation communicating the importance of including US hardwood lumber in upcoming discussions with China. The Hardwood Federation worked with Congressional offices to draft the letter and secure signatures. Decreasing exports of lumber have severely impacted US mill production and capacity demonstrating the vital need for the US government to pressure China for purchase commitments. The Congressional letter was covered in several media outletsincluding Inside Trade which is widely read by key DC policy makers and several wood products publications.

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Housing Act Becomes Law without Presidential Signature:  The  21^st Century ROAD (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream) to Housing Act became law last Friday following bipartisan support in both the House (358-32) and Senate (85-5). Although the President canceled a bill signing ceremony following Congressional passage,  the legislation did not need his signature to become law. Under Article 1 of the Constitution, once a bill is formally presented to the President, he has 10 days to sign or veto it. If there is no action taken in that time frame, the bill becomes law. That ten day window for H.R. 6644 closed last Friday and the measure is now in statute. 

The legislation is an amalgamation of several different measures aimed at boosting the housing market and making home ownership more affordable. Among its many provisions there is language that would incentivize changes in local governments' zoning and land use policies, authorize new housing construction and rehabilitation grant programs, modify the Community Reinvestment Act and reduce federal environmental review requirements. The measure also includes modular and manufactured home provisions as well as language directing studies on barriers to small mortgage lending. The Hardwood Federation has been supportive of the legislation as it intends to spur much needed home building.