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RPAC Washington Update: October 16

Advocacy Scoop from NAR Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn

We’re 27 days out from Election Day. More than 370 RPAC-supported federal candidates advanced from their primaries to the general election. We engaged in 57 Opportunity Races throughout the primary season, with a 93% success rate. Now, with the general election on the horizon, we’re redoubling our efforts to elect more federal champions. We’re taking 97 Opportunity Races live before Election Day, with nearly 50/50 support for Democrats (48) and Republicans (49). The power of purple is on full display across the country.

The RPAC team has added more federal candidates to the Pro-Property Platform, continuing to expand our REALTOR® advocacy influence by enabling our members and the public to directly support federal candidates and officeholders who champion property rights.

On the state and local level, our State and Local Independent Expenditures Program has supported over 400 REALTOR® Party champions this year, and as of last month, every state and D.C. has now participated in the program over its lifetime. Our Issues Mobilization and Advocacy Everywhere programs have helped push crucial housing legislation across the finish line – and, in many cases, prevented misguided policies from becoming law.

National Flood Insurance Update

With recent hurricanes along the coast and the devastation there, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has been top of mind for many of you. On September 25, 2024, Congress extended the NFIP authority to provide flood insurance through December 20, 2024. Most NFIP policies are not affected during brief authorization lapses. Nevertheless, NAR has prepared a FAQ sheet to help answer what an extended lapse could mean for closings and outline proactive steps your clients can take today.
Read the letter to Congressional leaders urging an NFIP extension.
Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet.

Economic Update: Instant Reaction

NAR Consumer Guides

This month, NAR announced a new series of consumer resources designed to help agents who are REALTORS® empower home buyers and sellers following recent practice changes. To date, NAR has published six installments in the series and will continue to release new resources in the weeks ahead. Read More…

Congress Avoids a Government Shutdown

On Wednesday, September 25, 2024, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that will fund the government until December 20, 2024, narrowly circumventing a shutdown. The bill ensures that agencies and programs such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Agriculture, Small Business Administration, as well as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can continue to operate fully until December 20, the deadline for another funding bill to be passed. The bill also provides an additional $231 million for the U.S. Secret Service to increase security for presidential candidates as we approach the November election.
NAR continues to advocate for Congress to pass a long-term funding solution to keep the government operating fully. 
Learn more about what a government shutdown means for REALTORS®.

Now LIVE: Advocacy Scoop Podcast Episode 8, Unpacking RPAC

This month’s Advocacy Scoop podcast, Unpacking RPAC, digs into why our political fundraising and disbursements operation is so successful. For the past 45 years, RPAC has promoted the election of pro-REALTOR® candidates across the country. This month, we “unpack” some of the most commonly asked RPAC questions and, in honor of election season, also dive into some of our favorite political shows and movies.
Speaking of the Advocacy Scoop, hosts Patrick Newton and Shannon McGahn will host an Advocacy Scoop-style session at the Texas REALTORS® Party and Leadership Summit in late October. They’re excited to take the show on the road, sharing all the great work the NAR Advocacy team is doing in the heart of this election season. The Advocacy Scoop team will also do a live recording at NAR NXT, analyzing the election results in real time and ensuring you understand the crucial role our association played in helping elect REALTOR® Party champions at all levels of government.
Advocacy Scoop Podcast (nar.realtor)