President Donald Trump has urged Congress to deliver a legislative win on housing affordability ahead of the November midterm elections, but internal disagreements among House Republicans threaten to delay progress on the issue [1]. Trump specifically called for the House to approve Senate-passed legislation aimed at easing housing affordability, which has been stalled in the lower chamber for several months [1]. Instead, House Republicans are advancing a rival plan, with Speaker Mike Johnson suggesting that a bipartisan, bicameral bill could still reach the president's desk, though he acknowledged ongoing negotiations over the bill's details [1].
On Thursday, senior House lawmakers introduced a modified version of the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which could be voted on as early as next week [1]. However, any changes made by the House would require the Senate to reconsider the measure, potentially prolonging the legislative process and delaying the bill's arrival on President Trump’s desk [1]. Senate Majority Leader John Thune emphasized that the quickest way to enact the legislation is for the House to pass the Senate's version, noting that the White House has expressed support for this approach [1].
The Senate bill, which passed in March with fewer than a dozen defectors, included a controversial provision targeting the build-to-rent market by requiring some developers to sell single-family homes built for rental purposes within seven years of construction [1]. The House version has removed this provision following opposition from conservatives, who argued it represented excessive government interference in the housing market [1].
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a key architect of the Senate bill, stressed the urgency of addressing the housing crisis and argued that the House could pass the bill immediately if it were brought to a vote [1]. She suggested that any additional ideas from the House could be addressed in a separate bill, highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the current proposal [1]. Meanwhile, some GOP lawmakers, such as House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, remain opposed to bringing the Senate bill to the House floor [1].
CONCLUSION
Congress remains divided over how to address housing affordability, with the House and Senate at odds over key provisions in the proposed legislation. The ongoing infighting among House Republicans and the removal of controversial clauses have delayed progress, leaving the timeline for a final bill uncertain. Market participants should monitor developments as the legislative process continues.