David Garcia

NBD the Senate just dropping the biggest housing package in about thirty years... www.banking.senate.gov/newsroom/min...

Provisions Subject to a 60-Vote Byrd Rule Point of Order Energy and Natural Resources NEPA compliance. These provisions deem offshore oil and gas projects as automatically compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act, nullifying these projects' environmental review processes. (Subsection 102(b)(4) and Subsection 102(b)(5)) Offshore oil and gas leasing. This subsection requires leases to be issued to successful bidders within 90 days after the lease sale. (Subsection 102(b)(6)) Ambler Road. This section requires the Secretary of the Interior to permit construction of Ambler Road, a controversial mining road in Alaska. (Section 201) Mandatory public land sales. This section mandates the unprecedented sale of millions of acres of public land, including from both Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands. (Section 301)

Renewable energy fees. This subsection removes the Secretary of the Interior's discretion to reduce fees for solar and wind projects on Bureau of Land Management land. (Subsection 303(e)) Geothermal leasing and royalties. These sections require the Secretary of the Interior to hold yearly geothermal lease sales and purport to change how geothermal royalties are calculated. (Section 305 and Section 306) Natural gas exports and imports. This section creates a pay-to-play regime for natural gas exports, allowing natural gas exporters to pay a fee to have their project be deemed "in the public interest," which is a requirement for approval. (Section 401)

HUGE: Senate Parliamentarian says that Mike Lee's public land sell-off violates the Byrd rule, requires 60 votes in the Senate. A bunch of other terrible anti-environment provisions do too.

This isn't over, but this is a huge win.

www.budget.senate.gov/ranking-memb...

That was neat!

Hearings | U.S. House Committee on Financial Services

I am testifying before Congress (for the first time!) this week 👀 financialservices.house.gov/calendar/eve...

Some personal news: I help coach Diego's baseball team (the Crawdads) and they won the Alameda Little League AA Championship over the weekend!! So proud.

AB 609, which would exempt infill housing from CEQA, passed the Assembly 63 to 0 !!!! Unbelievable leadership and support!!! Unbelievable victory for housing affordability in California!!!!! Thank you for your leadership Asm @buffywicks.bsky.social and Speaker @caspeakerrivas.bsky.social! WOW!

California Gov. Gavin Newsom comes out in support of major CEQA reform bills by @buffywicks.bsky.social and @scottwiener.bsky.social. It is not typical for a California governor to weigh in on active legislation so this announcement is not to be taken lightly

a14.asmdc.org/press-releas...

Trump's budget calls to eliminate funding for permanent supportive housing (PSH) — where more than 310,000 people currently live. It's housing aid + voluntary support services, and has been a benchmark of US homelessness policy for decades

The Admin's budget proposal is out and HUD is a major target for reduction, including:
- Ending CDBG, including CDBG PRO
- Ending HOME
- Eliminating vouchers
- Ending Fair Housing grants

Isabel Allende Understands How Fear Changes a Society The beloved author left Chile at a time of great turmoil and has longed for the nation of her youth ever since.

I loved this interview. Isabelle Allende is one of my favorite authors and these days I often find myself thinking of her depictions of authoritarianism (House of the Spirits, A Long Petal of the Sea).
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/26/m...

Unprecedented vote shows Dems fractured over housing policy Two consecutive committee chairs got overruled by their members, signifying a growing rift among California Democrats about housing.

One of the most controversial housing bills of the year has lived to be voted upon another day, but only by surviving the Legislative equivalent of two back-to-back prison breaks.

calmatters.org/housing/2025...

Trump Administration to Use Federal Lands for Affordable Housing Housing developers and researchers say the idea of building more homes on federal land could help ease shortages. But various obstacles could hinder the effort.

"housing on federal land" means different things to different people. But if done thoughtfully, leveraging fed land could be a critical housing supply strategy. Thanks @nytimes.com for including me in this comprehensive look at the issue www.nytimes.com/2025/04/29/u...

Montana has met and exceeded California's housing policy progress in just two sessions. In a decade, California has adopted only some of these reforms and in many cases required multiple sessions to get it done

If the Fed capitulates to Trump (I don't think they will, nor should they) a cut in the Federal funds rate would ironically increase mortgage rates. This is because a cut would signal to markets that Fed independence is over, and hyperinflation is next.

Baseball boys⚾

Then why are they even open what else do they sell

HIGHLY recommend the Balloon Museum at the Palace of Fine Arts

I'm really proud of our work on this bill and grateful for the staff and members who've taken the lead on housing supply in Congress. Thanks to Reps. Flood, @pettersen.house.gov , and Senators @fetterman.senate.gov, @bluntrochester.senate.gov, Crapo, and Tillis!

Reps. Flood & Pettersen Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Housing Supply Frameworks Act WASHINGTON, D.C. -  Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) introduced the Housing Supply Frameworks Act. This bill directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban...

🚨 big news: a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers today announced the introduction of the Housing Supply Frameworks Act today in Congress. The bill will develop zoning and Iand use best practices at the federal level. flood.house.gov/media/press-...

Today's the day! The Congressional YIMBY Caucus' first hearing kicks off in 30 minutes. Watch live here: youtube.com/@reprobertga...

Congressional YIMBY Caucus launches today—bipartisan effort to boost housing supply & affordability. Tune in live: link.upforgrowth.org/2VW18q
#YIMBY #HousingPolicy

Tomorrow! The first ever hearing of the Congressional YIMBY Caucus kicks off with testimony from @jennyschuetz.bsky.social and Adam Millsap. You can tune in on Rep @robertgarcia.bsky.social's YouTube channel which will be live streaming.

He's done it now 🐧⚔️

Next week! We're excited to co-host the first ever hearing of the Congressional House YIMBY Caucus! Stop by if you're in DC

I've consulted with Diego and he confirms that he will be levying reciprocal tariffs

What did my son do to deserve this?!

I had the honor of working with Muhammad at Terner Center and you won't find a more tenacious houser than him. I'm proud of what these two guys from Stockton were able to accomplish in the housing space and I'm looking forward to much more

Love to see it

Big if true

I never thought I'd get to see another game at the coliseum. Thank you @oaklandroots.bsky.social 🥹⚽🏟️