REALTOR® Party March Madness

March is a busy month for the REALTOR^® Party. From advocating for crucial issues in Congress – government funding, independent contractor status, and housing affordability, to name a few – to engaging in primary elections across the country to support REALTOR^® Party champions and pro-real estate policies, the team is working tirelessly on the issues that matter to you and your business.

In Washington, as the government funding goalposts continue to move, NAR is advocating for a long-term government funding solution, as well as a long-term reauthorization of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

We’re also actively engaged with the Department of Labor on their new rule regarding independent contractor status. 89% of REALTORS^® are classified as independent contractors. Real estate professionals generally are not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) if they are independent contractors; however, there are concerns that application of this rule may lead to the misclassification of real estate professionals as employees.

NAR worked with Congress to introduce the Direct Seller and Real Estate Agent Harmonization Act (H.R. 5419), which would ensure real estate agents maintain their independent contractor status under the FLSA and ensure their ability to choose their preferred business classification. We continue to encourage members of Congress to cosponsor this bipartisan legislative solution.

And, of course, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing legislative solutions to address housing supply and affordability. Our bipartisan legislative priorities are gaining traction on Capitol Hill, and we hope you will join us Washington D.C. in May for the REALTORS^® Legislative Meetings to advocate for these issues with lawmakers.

Outside the nation’s capital, we’re engaged in a lengthy slate of elections, supporting REALTOR^® Party champion candidates and public policies that matter to our members in races across the country.

Take Super Tuesday, which had a super outcome for RPAC-supported candidates. In Arkansas, Alabama, California, North Carolina, and Texas, RPAC supported candidates in 103 of those 115 primary races. At the time of publication, only two RPAC-supported candidates will not advance to the general election.

RPAC also engaged in 23 opportunity races to help some of the most ardent supporters of real estate issues facing competitive elections. While many races are still being counted in California, it appears all seven opportunity race-supported candidates will move forward from the jungle primary to the general election. In Texas, RPAC engaged in 13 Opportunity Races; 11 of the supported candidates won outright, and two more will advance to a May 28 runoff election. In North Carolina, RPAC was victorious in two of our three Opportunity Races.

In this consequential election year, the REALTOR^® Party will continue working across the country to support REALTOR^® Party champions and policies that advance property ownership and build strong communities. Learn more about how you can get involved at REALTORParty.realtor.