House Passes Revised Housing Bill, Senate Action Delayed Until June

The House passed a revised version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act this week in a 396-13 vote. The legislation seeks to increase housing supply and affordability by easing certain zoning requirements.

The Senate passed its version of the bill in March.

House negotiators later added amendments that drew objections from some senators, prompting further revisions. A Tuesday update restored a requirement that build-to-rent homes be sold after seven years and removed other exceptions that had been added the previous week.

The same update also adjusted organized-labor provisions and community-banking measures. Officials said the changes were intended to address Senate concerns while preserving core elements of the House version.

Both chambers recessed until June, so the Senate cannot take up the bill before then. Senate officials have indicated they may seek additional revisions once they return. The White House issued a statement supporting the House-passed version and urging the Senate to act quickly.

An administration official said remaining differences should be resolved expeditiously. A Bipartisan Policy Center official stated that informal talks among the four lead negotiators could produce an agreement that would allow the bill to move through both chambers.

A National Association of Home Builders official said the bill could reach the president’s desk by early July if other legislative priorities do not intervene.