Trending Now - Senate Advances Housing Legislation Despite House Doubts

WHO:

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, co-lead of the House’s version of the bill, expressed concerns about the Senate’s housing bill, stating, "It seems to me that there are outstanding concerns with the Senate’s housing bill as currently drafted."

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, voiced concerns about the impact of the bill on the build-to-rent market.

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, stated, "Their process is still ongoing, and I am holding out hope for some fixes, but time runs short."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said, "the White House will be wanting to work with our House counterparts to try and get it passed over there and get it on the President's desk."

President Donald Trump stated, "We want homes for people, not for corporations," during his State of the Union address on February 7, 2026.

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, co-lead of the House’s version of the bill, expressed concerns about the Senate’s housing bill.

President Donald Trump spoke during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 2, 2026.

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, expressed concerns about the Senate’s housing bill, stating, "It seems to me that there are outstanding concerns with the Senate’s housing bill as currently drafted."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, mentioned that the White House will likely work with House counterparts to pass the bill.

President Donald Trump stated during his State of the Union address on February 7, 2026, that the cost of “chicken, butter, fruit, hotels, automobiles, rent” is lower today than before his term started.

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, co-lead of the House’s version of the bill, expressed concerns about the Senate’s housing bill.

President Donald Trump

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts

Sen. Tim Scott, R-South Carolina

Sen. John Thune, R-South Dakota

Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Andy Harris, R-Maryland

Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii

Senators who voted against the bill: Brian Schatz, Ted Budd, Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, Rand Paul, Rick Scott, Thom Tillis, Tommy Tuberville, Todd Young

WHAT:

The Senate's version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes a provision that requires owners of 350 or more units to sell after seven years, with a three-year extension if a renter wants to stay.

The Senate's bill includes a temporary ban on the central bank issuing digital currency, which some lawmakers want to make permanent.

The Senate's bill aims to streamline the building of new homes and ease regulations to cut costs, with a focus on making it easier for first-time homebuyers and lower-income Americans to enter the housing market.

The Senate's version of the bill includes a provision that prohibits institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, which supporters say would cut competition and benefit homebuyers.

The Senate's bill includes provisions to encourage states and local governments to adopt more pro-housing land use and zoning policies, which could add an extra 2.5 million housing units to the U.S. in the next decade, according to a Goldman Sachs report.

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10.

The House previously approved a version of the bill in a 390 to 9 vote on February 10, 2026.

The Senate's bill includes a temporary ban on the central bank issuing digital currency, which some lawmakers want to make permanent.

The Senate's version of the bill includes a provision that requires owners of 350 or more units to sell after seven years, with a three-year extension if a renter wants to stay.

The Senate's bill aims to streamline the building of new homes and ease regulations to cut costs.

The Senate bill includes a temporary ban on the central bank issuing digital currency, which some lawmakers want to make permanent.

The Senate bill would eliminate a federal requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, potentially reducing costs by $5,000 to $10,000 per home.

The Senate's version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was renamed to incorporate a previous Senate housing bill that stalled in 2025.

The Senate's bill includes a provision that requires owners of 350 or more units to sell after seven years, with a three-year extension if a renter wants to stay.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, stated that the Senate could pass consequential legislation that makes it easier to become a homeowner.

The Senate's version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes roughly 40 provisions aimed at increasing housing supply and lowering costs.

The bill aims to encourage local governments to expand housing development and remove regulatory barriers that slow construction.

The legislation includes a temporary ban on the central bank issuing digital currency, which some lawmakers want to make permanent.

The bill would eliminate a federal requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, potentially reducing costs by $5,000 to $10,000 per home.

The Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, 2026.

The bill passed with a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10.

The legislation aims to lower housing costs and increase the supply of affordable homes.

The bill includes a ban on institutional investors purchasing single-family homes.

The House previously approved a version of the bill in a 390 to 9 vote.

Trump stated, "We want homes for people, not for corporations."

The bill is described as the largest housing package in a generation.

WHERE:

The Senate vote took place in Washington, D.C.

The House's previous vote occurred in Washington, D.C.

WHEN:

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026, with a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10.

The House approved a version of the bill in a 390 to 9 vote on February 10, 2026.

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026.

The House approved its version of the bill on February 10, 2026.

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026.

The House approved its version of the bill on February 10, 2026.

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026, and the House previously approved its version on February 10, 2026.

The Senate passed the bill on March 12, 2026.

The House approved its version of the bill on February 10, 2026.

Trump signed an executive order in January 2026 regarding institutional investors.

WHY:

The push to address housing costs comes as a CBS News poll found that more than 80% of Americans believe it is harder to buy a home than for earlier generations.

The legislation aims to address the housing affordability crisis as many Americans struggle with high housing costs.

A CBS News poll indicated that over 80% of Americans believe it is harder to buy a home than for earlier generations.

HOW:

The bill encourages states and local governments to adopt more pro-housing land use and zoning policies, which could add an extra 2.5 million housing units to the U.S. in the next decade, according to a Goldman Sachs report.

The bill would eliminate a federal requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, potentially reducing costs by $5,000 to $10,000 per home.

The bill aims to streamline some regulations that require environmental reviews and inspections, making homebuilding easier.

The legislation eliminates a limit on a grant for emergency shelter beds and street homelessness outreach.

The Senate's version of the bill was crafted through negotiations between Senators Warren and Scott.

The bill seeks to streamline the building of new homes and ease regulations to cut costs.

The White House indicated support for the Senate version of the bill, stating it represents "significant advances in federal housing policy."

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 11:07 UTC)

The Senate passed its version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act yesterday with a strong bipartisan vote of 89 to 10, aiming to ease regulations and streamline the construction of new homes to help first-time buyers and lower-income Americans. However, concerns were raised by Rep. Mike Flood and Sen. Brian Schatz regarding the bill's impact on the housing market and the build-to-rent sector, particularly with provisions that require owners of large rental properties to sell after seven years. This legislative push comes as a CBS News poll reveals that over 80% of Americans feel it's more challenging to buy a home today compared to previous generations.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 05:20 UTC)

The Senate passed a significant housing bill on March 12, which aims to streamline the construction of new homes and ease regulations to make homeownership more accessible, especially for first-time buyers and lower-income Americans. This legislation includes a provision that prohibits institutional investors from buying single-family homes, a move supporters believe will benefit individual homebuyers and potentially add 2.5 million housing units over the next decade. As the push to address rising housing costs intensifies, a recent CBS News poll revealed that over 80% of Americans feel it's harder to buy a home now compared to previous generations.

(UPDATED March 13, 2026 01:23 UTC)

In a significant move, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act yesterday with a bipartisan vote of 89 to 10, following the House's approval of its version last month in a staggering 390 to 9 vote. President Trump emphasized the need for homes for people, not corporations, during his State of the Union address on February 7, while concerns were raised by Rep. Mike Flood about the Senate's housing bill, which includes a provision requiring owners of large rental properties to sell after seven years. This legislation aims to tackle rising housing costs, as a recent CBS News poll revealed that over 80% of Americans feel it's harder to buy a home today compared to previous generations.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 23:02 UTC)

On March 12, 2026, the Senate passed a significant housing bill aimed at addressing the rising costs of homeownership, which a recent CBS News poll revealed is a concern for over 80% of Americans. The bill includes provisions that require owners of large rental properties to sell after seven years, a temporary ban on digital currency issuance by the central bank, and the elimination of a federal requirement for manufactured homes that could save buyers thousands of dollars. Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the White House plans to collaborate with House counterparts to ensure the bill's successful passage, following the House's approval of its version last month.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 19:17 UTC)

Today, the Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to make homeownership more accessible and includes provisions for owners of large rental properties. This comes after President Trump highlighted in his State of the Union address last month that the costs of essentials like food and housing are lower now than when he took office. The push for this legislation is driven by a recent CBS News poll showing that over 80% of Americans feel it’s more difficult to buy a home compared to previous generations.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 17:52 UTC)

The Senate has introduced the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which features about 40 provisions designed to boost housing supply and reduce costs. This legislation encourages local governments to streamline housing development and includes a temporary ban on the central bank issuing digital currency, with some lawmakers pushing for it to be permanent. Additionally, the bill proposes eliminating a federal requirement for manufactured homes to be built on a permanent chassis, which could lower costs by up to $10,000 per home and potentially add 2.5 million housing units in the next decade.

(UPDATED March 12, 2026 17:19 UTC)

Today, the Senate approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with a strong bipartisan vote of 89 to 10, aiming to tackle the housing affordability crisis that many Americans are facing. This significant legislation, which includes a ban on institutional investors purchasing single-family homes, follows the House's previous approval of a similar version by an overwhelming 390 to 9 vote. President Trump emphasized the bill's intent by stating, "We want homes for people, not for corporations," highlighting the urgent need for affordable housing options.