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House Democrats this week advanced 13 committee bills – including positive measures affecting commercial real estate – that will be assembled into a massive $3.5 trillion “human” infrastructure package for policymakers to consider as soon as this month. (See other Roundtable Weekly stories for details on tax, energy and transportation legislation).

The Real Estate Roundtable this week commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks by recognizing the enduring, positive impact of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) and holding a joint meeting of the organization’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and Risk Management Working Group (RMWG).

The House of Representatives passed a $3.5 trillion budget resolution Tuesday, after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) promised moderate Democrats a September vote on the Senate-passed bipartisan infrastructure bill to garner their support for a framework that sets-up the “reconciliation” process.

The House of Representatives will briefly return to Washington the week of Aug. 23 to vote on measures affecting the future of President Biden’s sweeping infrastructure agenda.

The Senate on Aug. 10 passed a historic, bipartisan $1 trillion+ infrastructure bill that would allocate $550 billion in new spending to improve the nation’s transit, utilities and broadband. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (H.R. 3684) was approved 69-30, with support from all Democrats and 19 Republican Senators, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Commercial real estate executives report improving market conditions, through consistent growth of various asset classes, despite uncertainty surrounding employees returning to the office, according to The Real Estate Roundtable’s Q3 2021 Economic Sentiment Survey released today.

The Real Estate Roundtable commends Senate policymakers and the White House for their bipartisan efforts to pass billions of dollars in new spending to improve the nation’s infrastructure and spur economic growth as the world continues to grapple with the Covid variant.

The Senate processed amendments this week on bipartisan legislation for hundreds of billions in new investments in the nation’s “physical” infrastructure. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) pushed to continue votes this weekend on the bipartisan measure – with further plans next week to separately consider an anticipated $3.5 trillion budget resolution for “human infrastructure” designed to pass with only Democratic support.

The Real Estate Roundtable today announced its new FY2022 leadership, with John F. Fish (Chairman & CEO, Suffolk) elected as Chair for a three-year term starting July 1, 2021 – following an effective, productive term by Immediate Past Chair Debra A. Cafaro (Chairman & CEO, Ventas, Inc.).