July 26th, 2022: Members of Congress will depart Washington in August to head home for the summer recess through Labor Day. This week, advocates are encouraged to contact offices to request cosponsorship of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO HR 2294/S. 2266) and look for opportunities to meet with legislators when they are back home.
Last week, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) voiced his opposition to climate change and tax provisions in a reduced version of the Build Back Better bill. Now Senate Democratic leaders are working to secure support for a further reduced version of the bill. The slimmed-down bill will extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies and allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. With tax provisions no longer being considered, there is growing interest from both Republicans and Democrats to extend tax incentives expiring at the end of the year. If Republicans win back at least one chamber of Congress in the November election, there is a possibility for a busy year-end lame-duck session, which may be a vehicle for HTC improvements.
At this critical time, advocates continue to gain support for the HTC-GO, with 93 House members and 14 Senators cosponsoring the bill–the most in recent memory. With your efforts, we are steadily approaching our new goal: 100 cosponsors in the House and 20 cosponsors in the Senate!
Improvements to the HTC are more vital than ever. Recent National Park Service statistics show that HTC Part 2 applications were down in FY2021 by almost 20% compared to FY2019. The passage of HTC-GO provisions would enable projects to address financing challenges prolonged by a diminished credit value as well as skyrocketing material and labor costs. Building support for the HTC-GO will pave a path for success when year-end legislative vehicles begin to move, possibly during a lame-duck session of Congress.
August Recess Advocacy Opportunity
When your Members of Congress are back home in August, please connect with them to request cosponsorship of HTC-GO. We encourage you to safely attend upcoming political events and gatherings to discuss the HTC-GO bill. You can also proactively schedule a time to meet with legislators for a meeting or a tour of a local HTC project, especially projects that will become easier to do with the HTC if the proposed changes in the law were enacted.
Take Action:
- Request cosponsorship through the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s E-Advocacy tool
- Review the HTC-GO fact sheets to stay informed:
- Search local and political events or join a local political party’s email list to learn about events your Members of Congress might be attending
- Invite your Members of Congress to tour successful historic preservation projects. Take a look at the National Trust’s guide for arranging a site visit
- Email Michael Phillips to receive the schedulers’ email addresses for your Members of Congress and for additional assistance in making your request
- Check to see if your Members of Congress have already cosponsored:
Talking Points for Discussions with your Members of Congress:
- “Now is the time to strengthen this proven incentive to address the slowdown and challenges in rehabilitation projects across the country.”
- “Would you please cosponsor House Bill H.R. 2294/Senate Bill S. 2266 -The Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO) and work to include these provisions in year-end legislation?” If the legislator has already cosponsored the bill, thank them instead of asking them to cosponsor.
- Explain how enacting these provisions would benefit your community
- Please share the “State of the Historic Rehabilitation Industry” and either the House HTC-GO Fact Sheet or the Senate HTC-GO Fact Sheet as printed handouts or links/attachments as a follow-up
- Search for HTC State Maps and Project Lists for your area
Thank you for your advocacy! For assistance in contacting the offices of your Members of Congress, please contact Mike Phillips, Shaw Sprague, and Patrick Robertson.