Municipal Finance Caucus

Since the first municipal bond was issued in the United States by New York City in 1812 to fund the construction of a canal, municipal financing has played a critical role in our nation's development and has set us on the forefront of commerce and investment. The funding source underpins the vast network of highways, hospitals, airports, bridges, telecommunications towers and other critical infrastructures that crisscross our nation, delivering essential services and uniting millions of Americans. Denver International Airport, Chicago's Millennium Park, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco are all but a few examples of iconic American structures built through the power of municipal financing.

Congressman Ruppersberger founded the bipartisan Municipal Finance Caucus with former co-chair Congressman Randy Hultgren of Illinois in 2016 as a forum to discuss the opportunities and challenges for states and local governments to independently fund initiatives that strengthen their communities, and to advocate for bipartisan policies that enhance their access to the capital markets. Key issues that merit strong consideration include: protecting the tax exempt status of municipal debt, understanding how financial regulations treat such debt, and ensuring there is a robust market for municipal securities.

Today, the caucus is co-chaired by Republican Congressman Steve Stivers of Ohio. Stivers, who serves on the House Financial Services Committee, has been a licensed securities trader and bank executive and has been active on municipal policy throughout his time in office.

The Municipal-Finance Caucus has grown to more than 30 bipartisan Members of the House of Representatives who continually engage the legislative process to ensure that states and local government have access to robust financing tools. The Municipal Finance Caucus allows its members and other policymakers to think strategically about empowering local government with ability to make decisions that promote infrastructure investment, job growth and economic prosperity.

Membership:

Dutch Ruppersberger (Co-Chair; D-Maryland)
Steve Stivers (Co-Chair; R-Ohio)

John Larson (D-Connecticut)
Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts)
Ron Kind (D-Wisconsin)
Terri Sewell (D-Alabamba)
Derek Kilmer (D-Washington)
Dan Kildee (D-Michigan)
Grace Napolitano (D-California)
Mark Takano (D-California)
Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin)
Ted W. Lieu (D-California)
Gerald E. Connolly (D-Virginia)
Doris Matsui (D-California)
Bob Latta (R-Ohio)
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-New York)
Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (R-Arizona)
Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon)
Jerry McNerney (D-New Mexico)
Bradley Byrne (R-Alabamba)
Peter J. Visclosky (D-Indiana)
Mo Brooks (R-Alabamba)
James P. McGovern (D-Massachusetts)
Adam Smith (D-Washington)
Lois Frankel (D-Florida)
Brian Mast (R-Florida)
Suzan Delbene (D-Washington)
Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington)
Phil Roe (R-Tennessee)
Susan Brooks (R-Indiana)
Jared Huffman (D-California)

Related News:

Bond Buyer: Hultgren Plans Bill to Clarify MA Rule's Requirements for Issuers
By Jack Casey, June 24, 2016

The Hill: Bipartisan House Pair Launches Municipal Finance Caucus
By Naomi Jagoda, March 1, 2016

Bond Buyer: Why House Panel Leaders Should Care About Munis
By Evan Fallor – May 12, 2016

Bond Buyer: Lawmakers, Bankers Discuss How to Ease Tax Laws for P3s
By Evan Fallor – March 23, 2016

Bond Buyer: House Committee Approves Bill to Treat Munis as HQLA
By Jack Casey – November 3, 2015

Bond Buyer: Bill Introduced to Require Bank Regulators to Treat Munis as HQLA
By Kyle Glazier – May 4, 2015

Bond Buyer: Congress Members Urge House Leaders to Protect Muni Exemption
By Naomi Jagoda – April 16, 2015

Additional Resources