In a rare legislative effort, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the largest housing legislation in decades as legislators seek to tackle the affordability crisis across the country.
The bill, known as the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, passed 358-32 in the House after House GOP leaders expedited the legislation in response to the advancing out of the U.S. Senate the day prior.
The legislation groups dozens of bills aimed at reducing federal regulations, streamlining environmental reviews, speeding up the construction process, and limiting the influence of corporate landlords by restricting their ability to purchase single-family homes.
The package – led by the Senate Banking Committee's top Republican and Democrat, Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and the chair and ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). – is one of the most significant efforts in decades to increase housing supply and bring down prices, as Americans remain frustrated by the high cost of living.
The Vote Proves It's Possible To Find Common Ground
"Today's vote proves that it is possible to find bipartisan, common ground on legislation that actually helps the American people. And, importantly, it proves that bipartisan legislation doesn't have to be the weakest, most milquetoast agreement that doesn't offend anyone or do too much to help anyone either," Sen. Warren said in a floor speech ahead of the Senate Vote.
Anna Paulina Luna Staunchly Rejects The Bill
During the House’s voting session, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) affirmed that she would oppose the legislation because it did not contain the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act).
“The House GOP is attempting to move a Senate Bill with NO VOTER ID and NO SAVE AMERICA ACT. I will have to be a NO on rules for this week (and maybe even longer) if they don’t stop the games. I am not the only one. Other House Members are frustrated at the games being played. This is a problem,” Paulina Luna wrote. “The President agrees that the Senate needs to move Voter ID. Other Frontline Members depend on Voter ID legislation getting passed. Stop catering to a Senate that doesn’t do their jobs.”
