Gina Raimondo

Commerce Department Secretary Gina Raimondo has promised to make lumber prices a priority. The pledge came last week in response to a request by Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) at a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing. Describing the home building industry and the housing sector as “struggling,” Raimond said Commerce’s International Trade Administration would try to identify the root causes and find a solution. The National Association of Homebuilders claimed the statements showed its grassroots lobbying efforts with members is showing results. Rising prices and supply shortages of lumber and other building materials have crimped the industry. …NAHB has called on the White House to hold a summit on lumber and building material supply chain issues and to temporarily ease 9% tariffs on Canadian lumber to reduce pricing volatility. [This publication requires a free registration to access the full story]