The Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act and the Battle Over Affordable Housing The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12, a sweeping bill aimed at addressing housing affordability and supply, with bipartisan support spanning 89-10 votes. The legislation, which includes over 40 provisions, focuses on reducing costs, streamlining construction processes, and expanding housing options. While the bill has garnered attention for its provisions targeting institutional investors, its potential to reshape the manufactured home industry could have a more significant impact on the nation’s housing crisis. The bill’s most contentious provision involves President Donald Trump’s executive order from January, which sought to ban large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes. This provision has become a major hurdle in the bill’s passage through Congress. Critics, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., a co-sponsor of the ROAD Act, argue that such restrictions could stifle investment in housing. However, the debate over investor participation in the housing market has overshadowed other provisions that may offer more immediate solutions to the affordability crisis. A key component of the ROAD Act is its focus on factory-built manufactured homes, such as those produced by Berkshire Hathaway’s Clayton Homes. The bill includes measures to boost the production and affordability of these homes, which have long been stigmatized as low-quality or temporary. By allowing manufactured homes to be assembled without a permanent chassis, the legislation aims to modernize the industry and reduce zoning barriers. This change could enable manufacturers to innovate designs and expand their offerings, potentially increasing the supply of affordable housing.#berkshire_hathaway #us_senate #road_to_housing_act #clayton_homes #manufactured_housing_institute
Senate Unanimously Approves Partial Funding for DHS, Excluding ICE and Border Patrol The U.S. Senate passed a funding measure late Wednesday, approving financial support for most of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while excluding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and part of Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The decision, reached during an unusual overnight session, aims to restore operations for agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Coast Guard, though the House must still approve the plan before affected departments can fully resume operations. Negotiations between Senate leaders and lawmakers collapsed earlier in the day, prompting senators to prioritize passing a partial funding agreement by unanimous consent. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, speaking before the vote, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We’re gonna execute on as much as DHS as we can tonight, and then we’ll fund the rest of it later.” The agreement marks a critical step toward resolving a government funding stalemate that has left thousands of DHS workers unpaid, causing widespread travel disruptions and missed flights. The funding impasse has intensified tensions on Capitol Hill, with senators pushing to end the crisis before a scheduled two-week recess. Thune clarified that the Senate’s measure would cover all DHS components except ICE and CBP, though he noted that parts of Customs and Border Protection, such as customs operations, would receive funding. He acknowledged that the House’s response remains uncertain, stating, “I don’t know what the House will do,” but expressed hope that lawmakers would act swiftly to reopen government services.#department_of_homeland_security #customs_and_border_protection #immigration_and_customs_enforcement #us_senate #senate_majority_leader_john_thune
