Policy Matters

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Home Furnishings Association
GOP Lawmakers & Economists Agree, Tariffs Are a Tax Increase

This tax season, lawmakers and economic leaders are reminding the American public that tariffs are taxes. From constitutional concerns about executive overreach to warnings about rising consumer prices, an increasing number of Republican lawmakers worry that tariffs will weigh American families down with burdensome costs despite the recent 90-day pause

a trench filled with discarded government regulations going up to the US Capital Building. Picture created by Freepik.com
Home Furnishings Association
Extending Tax Cuts & Jobs Act Will Boost the U.S. Economy

Congress Must Prioritize American Business by Extending Tax Cuts & Reducing Business Regulations One of President Donald Trump’s top campaign promises was to open the floodgates for businesses to thrive in the U.S. economy once again. The best way to deliver on that promise is to protect existing tax rates,

Baby standing in front of dresser with one drawer opened.
Home Furnishings User
Significant Tip-Over Changes in 2023

Of all the advocacy discussions and debates we weighed in on in 2022 that impacted our industry, legislation surrounding furniture tip-over and clothing storage units for children topped the list.  Our industry has consistently pushed for a mandatory standard for clothing storage units for over a decade, with child safety

Inflation Reduction Act HFA GRAT_blog image
Home Furnishings User
Inflation Reduction Act – Will it live up to its title?

After months of stalled negotiations, congressional Democrats were able to move broad climate, clean energy, and health care legislation in the first two weeks of August. This bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act and signed into law by President Biden, is smaller than the original ‘Build Back Better’ proposal but

Legislative Activity GRAT blog_image
Chris Andresen
Legislative Activity and What it Means to Retailers

Nothing drives congressional activity like a deadline – in this case, the August recess and November midterm elections have created a unique environment spurring action on priority issues for both parties. Democrats have controlled the White House, House, and Senate since January 2021 but cannot advance large parts of their

GRAT BLOG One in the Win Column-Ocean Shipping Reform Act_HFA
Mark Schumacher
One in the Win Column: Ocean Shipping Reform Act

Often when we talk about our government relations action team (GRAT) and our advocacy efforts, it is always about works in progress. We focus on those issues that are at hand, and that need a resolution of some sort. Finally, we have the chance to discuss something we worked on

HFA GRAT Blog_CPSC proposal on tip-over safety
Chris Andresen
CPSC proposal on tip-over safety

On January 19th, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) voted unanimously, 4-0, to advance its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) on a mandatory safety standard for Clothing Storage Unit tip-overs. The text in the CPSC proposal was initially published in July 2021, but the Commission did not receive a staff

HFA_Power in the numbers Influences supply chain challenges
Mark Schumacher
Power in the numbers Influences supply chain challenges

I’ve noticed an interesting shift in meetings we’ve had with key staff in Cabinet departments like Commerce and Transportation or with members of Congress. Before I get to that shift, you need to know that we have increased the frequency of the meetings with influencers intentionally. We have got to

HFA-Multiple Paths for Congress on U.S. Infrastructure_7 20 21
Chris Andresen
Multiple Paths for Congress on U.S. Infrastructure

Accomplishing the goal of adequate U.S. infrastructure funding has been a critical talking point in recent months on Capitol Hill. One of President Biden’s major legislative accomplishments was the American Rescue Plan. It was a $2.2 trillion bill that extended federal unemployment bonuses through early September, provided $300+ billion to

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