In a significant statement at a housing stakeholders’ event on Tuesday, Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood expressed strong confidence that the pivotal 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will become law by the week’s end, irrespective of a presidential endorsement.
The legislation, which received substantial bipartisan backing in both chambers of Congress, was championed by Flood, who chairs the House Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. The act aims to stimulate housing development by removing bureaucratic obstacles and curbing the influence of large institutional investors in the single-family home market. For further details, the full list of provisions is available.
Flood shared his enthusiasm, stating, “Here’s the first bill I had that’s really ready for prime time. The President wants it. JD Vance wants it. You’ve got the Senate wanting it, Chuck Schumer wants it. Elizabeth Warren – I mean, whoever thought Elizabeth Warren and I would be on the same page, but look at us.”
Initially, former President Donald Trump praised the ROAD Act as a transformative piece of housing legislation and planned to sign it on June 24. However, the ceremony was unexpectedly canceled due to Trump’s dissatisfaction over Congress’ inaction on election reform legislation, the SAVE America Act.
Since the cancellation, Trump has downplayed the importance of the housing bill, labeling it as “a yawn” and “of minor importance.” The bill is set to become law automatically this Friday at 11 p.m. Central Time, unless Trump issues a veto. Flood, however, remains optimistic, suggesting that Congress would override any potential veto.
“I’m actually very confident that it’s going to become law,” Flood assured. “I get that from Speaker [Mike] Johnson. I get that from the White House. We just have to do it this way.”
Additionally, Flood highlighted the collaboration with Missouri Representative Emanuel Cleaver, a Democrat and ranking member of the House Housing and Insurance Subcommittee. Their joint efforts were pivotal in advancing the ROAD Act. Flood recounted telling Cleaver, “I don’t want to spend my time in Congress with messaging bills that get me a few points on the right when I run in a primary. I want to actually pass a law on affordable housing.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Flood, alongside several officials including Omaha Mayor John Ewing, visited the under-construction Tallgrass neighborhood, a Habitat for Humanity project in Papillion. Jody Holston, from the nonprofit Front Porch Investments, emphasized the importance of partnerships in housing development. “This conversation today is about something bigger than just one project,” she noted. “It’s about how federal policy, local leadership, and strong partnerships come together to create more housing opportunities for our region.”
