Senate passes bipartisan housing bill amid storms and political tensions

The US Senate has approved the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. The bill aims to tackle the shortage of affordable housing in urban, town, and rural areas across the country. Its passage came despite delays caused by severe weather and political disputes over another piece of legislation. On June 22, 2025, the Senate voted 85-5 in favour of the ROAD to Housing Act. The bill seeks to relax regulations on new housing developments and restrict corporations from purchasing large numbers of homes. Support for the measure included the White House and Metropolitan Archbishop Borys A. Gudziak of the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia, who endorsed it in a letter the previous October.

President Trump’s decision to cancel the signing ceremony for the housing bill added uncertainty. He tied the event to the passage of the SAVE America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship and ID for federal elections. Critics argue this separate act could disenfranchise eligible voters and is unnecessary, given the rarity of voter fraud.

Bad weather also disrupted proceedings. Several senators missed the vote after severe thunderstorms grounded flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Laura Peralta-Schulte, senior director of Network, later called the delays a temporary setback. The ROAD to Housing Act now moves forward with strong backing from both parties. Its provisions on housing regulation and corporate ownership remain central to its goals. The bill’s progress, however, has been intertwined with broader political and logistical challenges.