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NAR says it faces \u201csteep resistance\u201d but will keep advocating for a Realtor exemption to proposals: \u201cCongress must recognize real estate\u2019s unique place in the economy.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n WASHINGTON \u2013 A U.S. Senate committee held a hearing Thursday on the proposed Protecting the Right to Organize Act<\/a>, which targets the independent contractor status of millions of Americans. The National Association of Realtors\u00ae (NAR) says parts of the bill face steep resistance on Capitol Hill, but that the NAR advocacy team vows to remain vigilant and engaged with lawmakers on the issue.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs long as this bill is active, we will work to include language protecting existing state definitions of \u2018employer\u2019 and \u2018employee\u2019 and ensure our industry is protected,\u201d says Shannon McGahn, NAR\u2019s chief advocacy officer. \u201cAround 87% of NAR\u2019s 1.4 million members are independent contractors, most of whom choose this classification. Congress must recognize real estate\u2019s unique place in the economy and support this longstanding federal recognition.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Earlier this year, NAR urged members not to panic over the legislation. Contrary to a report at the time, the PRO Act is not and never has been close to imminent passage in the Senate.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n In recent months, NAR says it has intensified its ongoing educational campaign highlighting how crucial the independent contractor classification is to the real estate industry. NAR\u2019s advocacy team argues that provisions in the PRO Act should not apply to real estate professionals, and bipartisan support for a real estate-specific exemption remains consistent.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n While securing the 60 votes needed to advance the legislation through the Senate is unlikely, McGahn notes that lawmakers have other avenues to push the legislation forward.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNAR is confident in our position, but we are not letting our guard down given the stakes,\u201d McGahn says. \u201cWe raised this issue during our May legislative meetings with more than 500 members of Congress. It was one of our top three legislative priorities this year.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n NAR offers more information about efforts to protect Realtors\u2019 independent contractors status<\/a> on its website.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n