Architects address key legislation with Members of Congress
AIA members will be advocating for historic preservation, professional classification impacting student loans access, high-performance building tax credits, housing legislation & design freedom.
WASHINGTON – February 11, 2026 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and more than 500 of its architect members will converge on Capitol Hill tomorrow to advocate for pressing legislation that will significantly impact the architecture profession and community needs. Architects will focus on direct engagement with policymakers to advocate for AIA’s legislative goals:
Professional classification and Student Loan Caps - AIA supports government recognition of the Masters of Architecture and Doctorate of Architecture degree as a professional degree for the purposes of federal student loan disbursement. AIA also opposes new caps on federal student loans as well and supports using the “full cost of attendance” as the limit for student borrowing. Congressional action is needed to align education financing with the public value architects provide.
Historic Preservation - Following the demolition of the White House East Wing and the lack of transparency surrounding the project, AIA supports the People’s White House Historic Preservation Act. The legislation will promote excellence, innovation, and thoughtful stewardship of historic assets. Congress should uphold policies that protect historic integrity, and architectural excellence.
179D High-Performance Building Tax Credit – This tax credit is essential for promoting energy-efficient design in commercial and public buildings. By incentivizing high-performance projects, it helps architects achieve energy targets and supports the construction of resilient community structures. With the credit set to expire in June 2026, extending it is crucial for architects’ long-term planning and competitiveness, as well as for sustaining local jobs and advancing resilient, energy-efficient buildings nationwide.
Housing Legislation – AIA supports both the House passed Housing for the 21st Century Act and the Senate passed ROAD to Housing Act. AIA encourages swift bipartisan cooperation towards a final comprehensive bill that combats housing challenges. Reform will empower architects to deliver affordable, innovative, and community-focused designs.
Design Freedom - AIA supports legislation to ensure federal buildings reflect local context, culture, and values, not a mandated national style. The Democracy in Design Act provides clear federal design policies that enable architects to balance performance, cost, and public trust while avoiding unnecessary costs from stylistic mandates.
Hill Day is part the AIA Leadership Summit, offering attendees a unique platform to engage in critical policy discussions with lawmakers while enhancing their leadership skills as AEC professionals and AIA chapter leaders.
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AIA is especially concerned about the impact on students from lower- and middle-income backgrounds, who are less likely to have access to alternative sources of financing.
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