WASHINGTON — The House gave final approval Tuesday to a broad bipartisan bill, the ROAD to Housing Act, aimed at lowering the cost of housing.

The Senate passed the legislation 85-5 on Monday. The 358-32 House vote sent the bill to President Donald Trump, who was expected to sign it into law on Wednesday at the Capitol before he abruptly cancelled the signing ceremony.

If Trump does not sign the legislation, it can still become law in two ways:

• Automatic Enactment: Under the U.S. Constitution, if the president receives a bill and refuses to sign it, the legislation automatically becomes law after 10 days (excluding Sundays) as long as Congress remains in session.
• Veto Override: If Trump formally vetoes the bill, Congress can bypass the veto and enact the law with a two-thirds supermajority vote in both the House and the Senate. Because the ROAD to Housing Act passed both chambers with overwhelming, veto-proof majorities, lawmakers have the necessary support to override a presidential veto if needed.

Bipartisan effort

According to the Bipartisan Policy Center, dozens of bills were integrated to create the final legislation that would reduce federal regulations, streamline environmental reviews, speed up the construction process and curb the influence of corporate landlords by limiting their ability to purchase single-family homes.

Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, issued the following statement after the House passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending the bill to President Trump to be signed into law:

“NAHB applauds lawmakers for working together in a bipartisan, bicameral effort to pass historic housing legislation that will deliver real benefits for the American people. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help increase the nation’s housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers and encouraging local governments to reform zoning and land-use policies that have limited home building. By expanding homeownership and rental housing opportunities nationwide, this legislation will help ease the housing affordability crisis.”

Shaun Donovan, president of the non-profit Enterprise Community Partners and a former secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, said the legislation could provide relief to millions struggling to afford housing.

“For the millions across the country struggling with rising rents and home prices, 21st Century ROAD to Housing creates a real opportunity to expand housing supply, lower costs, and make it easier to find an affordable home. This legislation equips states, local leaders, and housing experts with the tools needed to turn plans into homes," said 

"But passage is only the beginning. This legislation's impact will depend on how effectively federal agencies, state governments, localities, and housing practitioners put these tools to work. The real measure of success is results—more homes built, greater affordability, and meaningful improvements for families across the U.S.”