The Home Furnishings Association’s Government Relations Action Team recently convened in Washington, DC, for its 2026 DC Fly-In, bringing the voice of home furnishings retailers directly to federal lawmakers and agency stakeholders.
Over the course of the Fly-In, HFA representatives met with Congressman Addison McDowell (R-6th/NC), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-10th/NC), and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC). HFA also met with the offices of Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE), Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), the Majority Whip Tom Emmer, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), Congresswoman Emilia Sykes (D-OH/13th), Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-4th/MA), and Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). The team also met with representatives from the National Home Builders Association and OSHA to discuss the policy issues shaping the business environment for home furnishings retailers.
HFA began the first day of meetings in collaboration with the American Home Furnishings Alliance, which represents furniture manufacturers, underscoring the shared priorities that unite the broader home furnishings industry. Voices in those conversations included representatives from Ashley Furniture Industries, Vaughn-Bassett, Hooker Furnishings, Universal Furniture, and others, reflecting a coordinated industry effort to engage lawmakers on the issues that matter most.
Also, during the Fly-In, the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association joined HFA, adding another important industry perspective to the conversations and reinforcing the broad alignment across the home furnishings sector.
Advancing a Retail-Focused Policy Agenda
At every stop, HFA emphasized a clear message: public policy has real-world consequences for home furnishings retailers, their employees, their customers, and the communities they serve.
The Fly-In centered on HFA’s 2026 federal policy priorities: trade policy, housing policy, and deregulation —each with significant implications for the strength and stability of the home furnishings marketplace.
Trade Policy
HFA reinforced its support for fair and equitable trade policy while highlighting the challenges created by unpredictable tariff actions and constantly changing regulations. For home furnishings retailers, especially small businesses, volatility in trade policy makes inventory planning, pricing, and long-term decision-making far more difficult. Because furniture purchases are often discretionary and higher-priced, pricing uncertainty can also cause consumers to delay purchases.
The team also emphasized the importance of equitable enforcement of tariff policy for all importers. Consistent enforcement is a major concern for many HFA members, particularly those competing in an environment where uneven application of trade rules can create serious disadvantages. HFA’s message was clear: trade policy must be enforced fairly and consistently so responsible importers are not placed at a competitive disadvantage.
Housing Policy
Housing remained a central focus of the Fly-In, reflecting the direct connection between home sales and furniture sales. HFA continues to support housing legislation that streamlines regulatory requirements, expands financing options, modernizes existing housing programs, and helps improve affordability and access.
That message gained additional momentum while the team was in Washington. On May 20, 2026, the House of Representatives passed the ROAD to Housing Act by a bipartisan vote of 396–13. The legislation addresses the nation’s housing affordability crisis and marks a meaningful win for an industry whose success is closely linked to the health of the housing market.
As HFA CEO Pete Theran says, “Nothing spurs furniture sales like a new address.”
Deregulation
The team also raised the importance of fair, practical regulation. HFA noted that furniture is already among the most heavily regulated product categories and that the industry has made meaningful progress in areas such as chemical use, consumer safety, and disposal practices. At the same time, pending EPA regulations related to formaldehyde emissions and PFAS could create duplicative and burdensome requirements, particularly for smaller businesses, if not finalized thoughtfully.
One Industry, One Voice
A key theme throughout the Fly-In was alignment across the home furnishings sector. By joining forces with manufacturer partners and engaging directly with policymakers, HFA helped present a unified message about the importance of business-friendly, consistent, and equitable policy.
These conversations are essential to ensuring that lawmakers understand how decisions made in Washington affect retail businesses on the ground—from supply chain stability and regulatory compliance to consumer affordability and housing-driven demand.
Continuing the Work
The DC Fly-In is a vital part of HFA’s ongoing advocacy efforts and its commitment to advancing the long-term health of the home furnishings industry. By bringing retailer perspectives directly into policy discussions, HFA helps ensure the industry’s voice is represented where it matters most.
HFA leadership intends to build on the momentum from the Fly-In through continued outreach and follow-up Capitol Hill meetings, helping ensure these important conversations translate into ongoing engagement and long-term advocacy impact.
HFA appreciates the time and engagement of the congressional offices, agency representatives, and partner organizations that met with the team during this year’s Fly-In. As the policy environment continues to evolve, HFA will remain actively engaged in championing solutions that support retailers, strengthen communities, and help the industry grow.
