The Senate is almost always evenly divided these days. The two parties can hardly agree on anything at all.
That’s why this rare unanimous Senate vote raised Donald Trump’s eyebrows.
Senate Unanimously Advances Bipartisan Housing Bill
On Tuesday, the Senate Banking Committee voted unanimously to move forward with significant housing legislation, showcasing a rare moment of unity in a polarized Congress. The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025, led by Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and ranking member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), focuses on increasing housing availability, enhancing affordability, promoting accountability, and strengthening oversight of housing programs.
The bill proposes measures to expand and maintain housing stock, improve access for buyers and renters, ensure fiscal responsibility, and enhance program integrity. “Many people around the country, frustrated with the way we do American politics, wonder, is there any issue that brings this nation together? And I’m here to say hallelujah! We have found one. It is housing,” Scott said before the panel advanced the bill by a 24-0 vote.
The legislation instructs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant and loan program for homeowners and small landlords to fund home repairs and address health hazards. It also calls for developing best practices for zoning and land-use policies and launching a pilot program to encourage diverse housing development in areas participating in Community Development Block Grants.
Concerns have emerged as the Trump administration pushes for significant reductions in HUD’s staff and budget. “There are new programs here that should operate more directly with the states and local communities so that we’re not at the mercy of a stripped down HUD. But I worry about HUD being under resourced to meet its current obligations, much less to take on more,” Warren said in an interview following the markup.
Lawmakers from both parties recognized HUD’s challenges but emphasized the urgency of addressing the escalating housing crisis. The bill garnered support from a wide array of stakeholders, including real estate groups, home builders, mortgage bankers, affordable housing advocates, and local governments.
“You have to start someplace. And part of it is to upgrade and to modernize a number of the issues that are causing us problems,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) in an interview on Monday.
Some senators, who have spent years crafting components of the bill, expressed concerns about the impact of potential HUD budget cuts. “This is a bipartisan bill that contains legislation that I’ve been working on for quite a few years, and so it’s great to see that… And at the same time, you have the administration basically decimating HUD, which is going to be the agency that is primarily responsible for implementation,” Housing subcommittee ranking member Tina Smith (D-Minn.) said in an interview Monday. “We shouldn’t be tearing HUD apart at the same time that we’re trying to make some good policy reforms in this bill.”
Housing as a Bipartisan Priority
The unanimous advancement of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025 highlights housing as a critical issue uniting both major political parties. As housing costs soar and availability dwindles in many regions, lawmakers face increasing pressure to address affordability, supply shortages, and inequities in access.
Rising home prices and rents have strained household budgets, with many Americans spending a disproportionate share of their income on housing. According to recent data from the National Association of Realtors, median home prices in the U.S. have increased by over 40% since 2020, outpacing wage growth. This trend has made homeownership unattainable for many and exacerbated homelessness in urban areas. Both parties recognize that failing to act could deepen economic inequality and social instability.
Republicans, traditionally focused on reducing government spending, have embraced housing reforms that encourage local control and private-sector involvement. The 2025 bill’s emphasis on zoning and land-use policy frameworks aligns with conservative priorities to streamline regulations and boost development. Meanwhile, Democrats advocate for robust federal support to protect vulnerable populations and expand affordable housing options, as seen in the bill’s grant and loan programs for homeowners and small landlords.
The housing crisis has also become a focal point in recent political campaigns, with candidates from both parties addressing it on the national stage. Policy proposals range from tax incentives for first-time homebuyers to increased funding for public housing and rental assistance. The bipartisan backing of the Senate bill suggests that housing will remain a top issue as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with lawmakers eager to deliver tangible results to constituents.
However, challenges remain, particularly with HUD’s capacity to implement new programs amid proposed budget cuts. Lawmakers must balance ambitious reforms with the realities of a constrained federal agency.
