U.S. Rep. Mike Flood accepted the National Homebuilders’ Defender of Housing award on Friday at an event in Norfolk, where he credited bipartisan cooperation for passage of housing legislation he helped write.
The award, presented by the National Homebuilders at the Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce building, recognized Flood’s work with homebuilders dating to his first year as a state lawmaker in 2005, the congressman said.
"When I went to Washington, I did not want to go to be on TV. I wanted to go to get things done and to pass laws," Flood said. "And to be able to pass a law in a bipartisan way, with as much support as we had, shows me that we can make things work in Washington.
"And the first step to making things work is listening to everybody, working with both sides and finding out where there's common ground and then seizing the opportunity to make something happen."
Legislative background
Flood highlighted the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which he co-authored with Rep. Emanuel Cleaver of Missouri. The bill became law in July without the president's signature, the congressman noted at the Norfolk appearance.
- The National Homebuilders presented Flood with the Defender of Housing award.
- Flood cited his long-standing relationship with the homebuilding industry dating to 2005.
- He pointed to the bipartisan passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act as an example of productive lawmaking.
At the event Flood framed his approach to Washington as results-oriented. He said working across the aisle and listening to stakeholders were key steps in finding common ground and securing support to pass legislation.
The presentation in Norfolk drew on Flood’s ties to homebuilders and his legislative record; the congressman specifically tied the award to the recent housing legislation he helped shepherd through Congress.
No additional details about the award presentation, including event attendance or remarks by National Homebuilders representatives, were included in the announcement.
