Homebuilders’ group reactivates PAC giving

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has decided to reactivate its political action committee and once again give political contributions to federal candidates.

The 70-member board of trustees for BUILD-PAC unanimously voted on Friday to resume making contributions.

{mosads}The trade association had shut down the political action committee on Feb. 12 after complaining that Congress was paying little attention to the suffering of their industry from the housing crisis.

The PAC made the decision to cut off contributions after lawmakers did not include tax incentives to benefit homebuilders in the economic stimulus package signed into law earlier this year. Since then, the Senate has passed legislation that includes a tax break for homebuilders, and the House is considering a bill.

“The trustees of BUILD-PAC now feel that our message has been heard, and Congress, the administration, the media and the public understand the plight of the home building industry,” said Ed Brady, chairman of the BUILD-PAC’s board of trustees, in a statement.

So far this election cycle, BUILD-PAC has given close to $980,000 to federal candidates — nearly 45 percent of it to Democrats and the other 55 percent to Republicans, according to CQMoneyLine. For 2006, it gave close to $3 million to candidates — more than 73 percent of that sum going to Republicans. This year, the PAC has more than $1.7 million in cash on hand.

The decision to stop contributions provoked some controversy in Washington since it made it appear that political checks were being tied to legislation.