Home builders group spent $1.3M lobbying in 1Q

The trade group has been asking lawmakers to include a tax credit for home buyers in a housing stimulus package being considered in Congress.

Earlier this month, the group withdrew support for a $6 billion emergency tax break that would let companies use losses from 2008 and 2009 to offset profits earned over the previous four years, instead of the usual two-year timeframe. The provision failed to build traction on Capitol Hill amid criticism that it was a gift to homebuilders, many of which profited handsomely during the housing boom years.

The trade group, which spent $3.2 million lobbying in 2007, also lobbied on mortgage lending regulations, labor issues, affordable housing, and environmental cleanup regulations, according to an amended filing posted May 29 with the House clerk's office.

Tighter lending standards, rising defaults among borrowers with weak credit and falling home prices have meant fewer buyers for struggling homebuilders, such as D.R. Horton Inc., Pulte Homes Inc., Lennar Corp., Centex Corp. and Toll Brothers Inc.

Besides Congress, the group lobbied the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Transportation, Treasury and the Environmental Protection Agency in the first three months of the year.