Category: Spring Roundtable Meeting

CRE Leaders Gather in Washington to Discuss Housing, Tax Policy, National Security, Energy, and More

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The Real Estate Roundtable’s (RER) Spring Roundtable Meeting brought commercial real estate leaders to Washington this week for bipartisan discussions on national security, housing, tax policy, energy, and economic growth. The meeting (Roundtable-level members only) came as Congress continued to debate housing legislation, implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and broader questions of U.S. competitiveness and leadership. (RER’s Spring 2026 Policy Priorities and Executive Summary)

Across the agenda, speakers echoed similar concerns and priorities, including strengthening the workforce pipeline, expanding career and technical education, permitting reform, reducing regulatory burdens, and ensuring reliable energy infrastructure to support AI, data centers, and long-term economic growth.

Roundtable Leadership

  • RER Board Chair Kathleen McCarthy Baldwin (Former Global Co-Head of Blackstone Real Estate) opened the meeting by highlighting the value of convening industry leaders in Washington and recognizing the strong leadership across the organization, including the nominating committee’s work and the incoming board members’ efforts to position RER for the year ahead.
  • RER President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer said that RER’s impact in Washington is built on active member involvement, strong committee engagement, and continued support for REALPAC. “Our voice is strongest when members are engaged, our committees are active, and we continue to invest in the advocacy efforts that help advance the industry’s priorities.”

Speakers & Policy Issues

  • Roundtable members engaged in policy discussions with the following guests:
  • (R-L): Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) (House Assistant Democratic Leader; Committees: Natural Resources, Rules, and Judiciary), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) (Committees: Financial Services; Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party), and Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA) (Committees: Science, Space and Technology; Armed Services) joined Monday evening’s dinner conversation on the political landscape, affordability, housing, immigration, and the policy choices shaping the run-up to the midterms. The panel also explored housing supply strategies, bipartisan problem-solving, and what voters are looking for from both parties on economic opportunity and cost-of-living concerns.
  • Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) (Committees: Appropriations; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Foreign Relations) discussed national security, trade, China, workforce development, and the policy environment needed to strengthen American competitiveness. He also addressed housing supply and his recently introduced Freedom to Build Act, which is intended to incentivize deregulation, expand housing supply, and make homes more affordable by aligning existing federal incentives with communities that reduce barriers to building. (Roundtable Weekly, April 17)
  • Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE) (House Financial Services Committee) weighed in on the housing bills and the path toward bridging House and Senate priorities, with particular focus on concerns that Section 901 of the Senate-passed 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could reduce housing supply and create new market uncertainty. He also addressed TRIA reauthorization, mortgage market stability, access to credit, and the need for practical housing solutions that expand supply.
  • David Malpass (former President of the World Bank and former Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of the Treasury) offered his perspective on global economic ambiguity, energy policy, domestic production, labor shortages, and U.S. leadership. He also spoke about permitting reform, workforce development, interest rates, and the policy changes needed to support stronger long-term growth.
  • (L-R): Josh Parker (Chairman & CEO, Ancora Group Capital; Chair, RER’s Tax Policy Advisory Committee), Tony Chereso (President & CEO, The Inland Real Estate Group, LLC), and Ryan McCormick (Senior Vice President & Counsel, RER) led a tax policy panel on Treasury implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Section 892 regulations, Opportunity Zones implementation, FIRPTA, foreign capital, and other issues affecting real estate investment and capital formation.

Next on RER’s meeting calendar is the all-member Annual Meeting on June 9-10, 2026, in Washington, D.C., which will include policy advisory committee sessions.

Spring Roundtable Meeting Highlights Tax and Trade, Housing, and Global Challenges Confronting Real Estate

Posted on by abigail_grenadier

Industry leaders convened with members of Congress and senior administration officials at this week’s Spring Roundtable Meeting to address critical national policies impacting commercial real estate and the broader economy.

  • The timely discussions focused on housing supply and affordability, tax policy, regulatory reform, workforce development, grid reliability, infrastructure resilience, tariffs and trade relations, and immigration reform.
  • RER members underscored the importance of preserving vital tax provisions that incentivize investment and warned lawmakers that proposals to restrict the deductibility of state and local property taxes would cause self-inflicted injury to the U.S. economy, including unnecessary job losses and new, systemic risks to the banking system, pressure on rents for families and individuals, and other inflationary cost increases for American consumers.  (The Roundtable’s Spring 2025 Policy Priorities and Executive Summary)

Speakers & Policy Issues

Roundtable members engaged in policy issue discussions with the following guests:

  • Jonathan Martin (Politics Bureau Chief and Senior Political Columnist, POLITICO) offered a candid look at the political landscape and forecasted a competitive 2028 election cycle amidst shifting congressional dynamics.
  • The Honorable Scott Turner (Secretary, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)) emphasized HUD’s mission of service, focusing on reducing regulatory burdens, increasing housing supply through public-private partnerships, and extending Opportunity Zones.
  • The Honorable Howard Lutnick (Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce) discussed tariffs and how President Trump is seeking to use trade policy to reignite domestic manufacturing, restore U.S. superiority in critical industries, and advance U.S. national security. 
  • The Honorable Todd Young (R-IN) (Committees: Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Finance; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Select Committee on Intelligence) focused on pro-growth tax policies, the need for reduce the deficit, and his initiatives aimed at housing supply and affordability.
  • The Honorable Mark Kelly (D-AZ) (Committees: Joint Economic Committee; Armed Services; Environment & Public Works; and Select Committee on Intelligence)discussed the intersection of national security and technology, emphasizing the need for grid reliability, innovation, and bipartisan immigration reform to support economic and housing needs.
  • The Honorable Bill Huizenga (R-MI) (Committees: Financial Services (Vice Chair); Foreign Affairs) shared his insights as Vice Chair on the House Financial Services Committee priorities, revitalizing community banking, affordable housing access, and insurance programs like the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA).
  • The Honorable Jason Smith (R-MO) (Chairman, House Ways & Means Committee; Chairman, Joint Committee on Taxation) reinforced his commitment to advancing a comprehensive, pro-growth tax package by summer, highlighting the essential input provided by RER on key issues such as business SALT deductions, carried interest, and real estate’s role in driving growth.

Next on The Roundtable’s meeting calendar is the all-member Annual Meeting, which will include policy advisory committee meetings on May 28-29 in Washington, DC.

CRE Leaders and Lawmakers Discuss Domestic Policy Agenda, Ukraine, Climate and Economic Issues

Posted on by Trey Jackson

Real Estate Roundtable Spring 2022 Meeting

National lawmakers and Real Estate Roundtable members met this week to discuss domestic and geopolitical issues affecting the economy and industry—including inflation and the Fed; the congressional legislative agenda; and the war in Ukraine. The Roundtable’s 2022 Spring Meeting also featured a discussion on climate-related financial and regulatory proposals. (Roundtable April 2022 Policy Issue Profiles and Executive Summary) 

Senator Sinema & Market Conditions 

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) at RER's 2022 Spring Meeting

  • A discussion with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), above, on policymaking in the Senate launched The Roundtable meeting on April 25. 
  • Roundtable Chair John Fish (Chairman & CEO, Suffolk) and Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer led a dialogue among industry executives and House and Senate members on CRE market conditions. Roundtable members offered their views on inflationary pressures, supply chain disruptions, and back-to-office challenges. 

Ukraine, Climate and the Fed 

  • On April 26, Roundtable members convened for policy discussions with the following guests:
     
  • Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Alexander Vindman
     L to R: Jeffrey DeBoer, Alexander Vindman, John FishA 20-year military veteran, former Director with the White House’s National Security Council, and now a senior advisor with VetVoice Foundation, Mr. Vindman addressed the war in Ukraine. “It is a geopolitical earthquake that will shape how power is used in the 21st century,” Vindman said, adding that an eventual reconstruction effort will require a massive international effort involving public-private partnerships and private equity. (Photo: left to right, Jeffrey DeBoer, Mr. Vindman, and John Fish)
  • Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) 
     Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
    As a member of the Senate’s Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Finance, and Joint Economic Committee, Sen. Cassidy provided his insight on the congressional agenda, including economic and energy policy issues. “The real estate sector acts as both a leading indicator and a reflection of what is happening in our communities across the country,” said Cassidy, above left. At right is Roundtable Chair John Fish.
  • Climate Panel
    Tony Malkin and Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO)A Roundtable panel addressed climate-related issues and their impact on investor demand, property values and interest rates. (Video of the discussion). The panel also discussed regulatory issues such as the SEC’s proposed climate risk disclosure rule. (Roundtable Weekly, March 25). Speakers included:

Roy Hilton March, Kathleen McCarthy and Bill Stein

  • Former Fed Board Member Kevin Warsh 
     Kevin Warsh and Scott RechlerWarsh, above left, a former member of the Fed Board of Governors (2006-2011), discussed the Fed’s potential actions to temper inflation and guide the economy to a “soft landing” with Roundtable Member Scott Rechler, right, (Chairman & CEO, RXR Realty), who serves on the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Board of Directors. 

Next on The Roundtable’s meeting calendar is the all-member June 16-17 Annual Meeting in Washington, DC. 

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Roundtable Leaders and National Policymakers Highlight Key Industry Issues

Posted on by Trey Jackson

A wide range of policy issues were addressed by Roundtable leaders, Members of Congress and Administration officials during this week’s Roundtable Spring Meeting, including: infrastructure; housing availability and financing; tax proposals; building energy and climate related matters; and pandemic risk insurance. (For issue detail please see The Roundtable’s 2021 National Policy Agenda)

Roundtable Leadership

  • Roundtable Chair Debra Cafaro (Chairman and CEO, Ventas, Inc.) launched the meeting on April 20 with Roundtable Chair-Elect John F. Fish (Chairman & CEO, SUFFOLK) and Roundtable President and CEO Jeffrey DeBoer. 
  • Chair Cafaro noted, “We convene at a time imbued with optimism and renewal, as we are fortunate to have an accelerated vaccine rollout, an improving economy and stabilizing markets.” 

  • She also acknowledged the vital, positive role that The Roundtable membership has played in addressing many of today’s national challenges, including rebuilding and expanding infrastructure; expanding housing opportunities; creating jobs and training workers for a changing economy. “Roundtable members have been at the forefront of advocating for these important policies since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cafaro said.
  • Roundtable Chair-Elect Fish stated, “Unintended consequences can occur when big national policy changes are proposed, so it is more important than ever that the real estate industry offer its expertise to help policymakers as they look to enact reform and propose new, important initiatives. The Roundtable is indeed engaged, and will remain so, in major policy issues impacting the industry.”
  • Roundtable President and CEO DeBoer emphasized the need for ongoing interaction with policymakers in Washington as the policy agenda and congressional rosters change.  He stated, “Our Roundtable policy advisory committees continue to remain active in keeping policymakers and regulators up to date on the evolving marketplace and our policy agenda. We always take a fact-based approach from the point of view of the asset, showing how it is sustainable, supports jobs for the community and contributes to overall economic growth,” DeBoer stated.

Featured Policymakers

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

  • The Roundtable’s Fall Business Meeting included virtual visits from the following guests:
     
    • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)
    • Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, above
    • Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
    • White House National Economic Council Director Brian Deese
    • Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)
  • Following the business meeting, members from the House and Senate attended several smaller breakout sessions with Roundtable attendees to discuss national policy issues in a more informal exchange of views.

Next on The Roundtable’s meeting calendar is the all-member June 15-16 State of the Industry Meeting, which will be held virtually via Zoom.

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