politics
House Republicans Consider Changes to Bipartisan Housing Bill Ahead of Midterms
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which passed the Senate in March, remains stalled in the House of Representatives. Some Republicans object to provisions added in the Senate that they say could limit housing supply. Republican leaders are weighing amendments and could bring an amended version to the floor for a vote in mid- to late-May.
May 15, 7:20 AM·3m read1 source
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Congressional Republicans face political pressure to advance bipartisan housing legislation before the November 3 midterm elections as voter concern over housing affordability has grown. The legislation, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed the Senate in March but has been held up in the House of Representatives.
Some Republicans have objected to provisions added in the Senate, stating that those changes could limit the nation's housing supply. The bill seeks to address housing affordability by reducing certain federal regulations and encouraging state and local governments to ease land-use restrictions.
Rising housing costs have contributed to broader inflation that has lowered consumer sentiment. Higher costs have also been linked to increased disapproval ratings on economic handling 16 months into the current presidential term. The longer the legislation remains stalled, the less opportunity exists for Republicans to present it as an accomplishment on the campaign trail.
Even if the measure does not produce immediate price reductions before the election, it could still serve as a legislative achievement for messaging purposes.
Republican leaders in the House and Senate have faced lobbying to resolve differences and pass the legislation. House Republican leadership is reportedly planning to place an amended version of the Senate bill on the floor for a vote as soon as mid- to late May.
It remains unclear how the House would address a provision that would ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes. That provision was added to the Senate bill following a call for it in the 2026 State of the Union address. The bill also includes language requiring investors in build-to-rent homes to sell those properties within seven years.
