On Monday, the U.S. Senate passed a much-anticipated housing bill, which will reportedly address housing affordability.
The legislation, dubbed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed the U.S. Senate by an 85-5 vote. However, U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) joined U.S. Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) in voting against it.
The bill is expected to pass the U.S. House later this week, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it.
The bipartisan effort is led by U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with U.S. Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) in the U.S. House.
U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) voted for the legislation.
"Today, I was thrilled to join my Senate colleagues in taking a critical step to empower more Alabamians and Americans with the opportunity to own a home as we overwhelmingly passed the most comprehensive housing policy bill in decades. This is an incredible win for hardworking individuals and families and would not have been possible without the tireless work of Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott. For far too long, the American Dream of homeownership has been completely out of reach—Chair Scott recognized this and worked across the aisle and across chambers to deliver solutions for the American people," Britt said in a press statement.
"As Chair of the Housing, Transportation, and Community Development Subcommittee, I have been proud to work alongside him to get this over the finish line," she continued. "There is still more work to be done to ensure young families have an opportunity to own a home, but this bill makes meaningful changes to address our nation's affordable housing crisis. I'm also pleased that the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes several priorities I championed. I urge the House of Representatives to pass this legislation quickly and send it to the President's desk to be signed into law."
According to Britt's release, the measure will "increase access to affordable housing for Americans across the country by expanding and preserving housing supply, improving housing affordability, increasing oversight and efficiency of federal regulators and housing programs, and accelerating local leaders' efforts to improve housing affordability."
Tuberville opposed a similar bill in March, saying at the time that the focus should be on passing the SAVE America Act, and he also questioned the then-legislation's focus on urban areas over rural areas.
Jeff Poor is the editor-in-chief of 1819 News and host of "The Jeff Poor Show," heard Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-noon on Mobile's FM Talk 106.5. To connect or comment, email [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @jeff_poor.
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