Rep. Josh Harder: US must build more housing, infrastructure

Rep. Josh Harder, D-Calif., argued that the United States must accelerate housing, energy and infrastructure development to address affordability challenges, saying excessive permitting delays and underinvestment have contributed to rising costs and slower economic growth.

Harder, who represents California's 9th Congressional District and chairs the bipartisan Build America Caucus, said communities in California's Central Valley experience the effects of infrastructure shortcomings daily through long commutes, housing shortages and strained transportation systems.

Speaking at a June 10, 2026, event at the Institute for Critical Infrastructure Technology (ICIT) in Washington, Harder said the long-term solution to the nation's cost-of-living challenges is increasing the supply of housing and other critical infrastructure rather than relying solely on short-term measures.

"We're about 10 million homes short of where we need to be across the United States right now," Harder said, adding that the shortage has pushed homeownership out of reach for many younger Americans.

He also called for permitting reform, arguing that infrastructure projects often become stalled by lengthy administrative and legal processes. As an example, Harder cited an effort in Pasadena, California, to underground electrical lines for wildfire mitigation that local officials estimated could take centuries at the current pace.

Harder said Congress is advancing bipartisan legislation intended to encourage housing construction, reward local governments that support development and reform building codes. He noted the measure passed the House with broad bipartisan support and described it as the first major federal housing legislation in decades.

Among the policy changes he highlighted were efforts to expand manufactured housing by removing outdated federal requirements that increase construction costs, along with measures to improve financing and streamline permitting.

Throughout the discussion, Harder emphasized what he described as the need for a more optimistic, growth-oriented approach to public policy, arguing that infrastructure investments should create benefits for communities, businesses and future generations alike.

While acknowledging competition from countries such as China, Harder said the United States should also compare its performance with democratic allies that have delivered major infrastructure projects more efficiently while maintaining environmental and labor protections. He argued that faster delivery of housing, transportation and energy projects would improve affordability, strengthen American competitiveness and leave lasting public assets for future generations.