The Freedom to Build Act (H.R. 9625) proposes a voluntary program where the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would recognize local governments that implement specific housing reforms or demonstrate significant housing growth. Localities achieving this 'Freedom to Build' designation would receive priority for certain federal grants related to housing and community development. To qualify, a locality must either adopt reforms in areas like construction innovation, faster approval processes, and property rights, or meet housing production targets set by HUD based on local market conditions. The designation lasts for five years and can be renewed if criteria are still met.
Supporters of the Freedom to Build Act commend its approach to incentivizing local governments to streamline housing development processes and increase housing supply. By offering priority access to federal grants, the bill encourages municipalities to adopt reforms that could lead to more affordable housing and address housing shortages. Proponents believe this initiative could foster innovation in construction and reduce bureaucratic delays, ultimately benefiting communities seeking to expand their housing options.
Critics of the Freedom to Build Act express concerns that the voluntary nature of the program may not be sufficient to drive widespread change, as local governments might lack the resources or political will to implement the necessary reforms. Additionally, some argue that prioritizing federal grants for designated localities could inadvertently disadvantage areas that are unable or unwilling to meet the criteria, potentially exacerbating existing disparities in housing development and access to federal resources.
The Freedom to Build Act, sponsored by Mónica De La Cruz, does not show any direct industry overlaps with her top donor industries, which include Health Professionals and Retired individuals. The significant contributions from Health Professionals amount to $600 million, while Retired individuals contributed $187.5 million. However, since the bill's subject matter does not directly relate to these industries, the potential for conflicts of interest appears minimal. Voters should be aware that while large donations can raise questions about influence, in this case, the lack of overlap suggests that the bill is not being driven by the interests of her top donors.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| TUNGSTEN MINING NL | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $120,000 |
| DELTA | CAPITOL TAX PARTNERS, LLP | $70,000 |
| LEARN ALLIANCE (INFORMAL COALITION) | CAPITOL TAX PARTNERS, LLP | $40,000 |
| FRAYM | CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC. | $40,000 |
| SUPPLY ENERGETICS, INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| VIEGA LLC | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $30,000 |
| GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | GLOBAL TECHNICAL SYSTEMS | $30,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF DAIKIN U.S. CORPORATION) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $30,000 |
| LIBERTY MUTUAL GROUP INC. | CORNERSTONE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, INC. | $30,000 |
| OISHII | BALLARD PARTNERS | $20,000 |
| ML STRATEGIES, LLC (ON BEHALF OF PRICESMART, INC.) | PLURUS STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| DIRECT KINETIC SOLUTIONS | AMERICAN CAPITOL GROUP | $15,000 |
| NLMK PENNSYLVANIA | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | $10,000 |
| CARL ZEISS AG | FGS GLOBAL (US) LLC (FKA FGH HOLDINGS LLC) | undisclosed |
| ZIPPO MANUFACTURING COMPANY | SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Mónica De La Cruz, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
