Senate Advances Major Bipartisan Housing Bill Despite Roadblocks

The Senate is moving toward passing what supporters call the most significant housing legislation in a generation, seizing a rare bipartisan deal in an otherwise divided Congress. The package, which aims to make it easier to build and finance new housing while shoring up federal assistance programs, has quietly advanced even as lawmakers clash over other issues and as Democrats weigh the political risks of appearing to block affordability measures before the midterms.

Fresh obstacles have emerged. The president has said he will not sign legislation until Congress produces a stalled voter ID bill, and Republican infighting over provisions — including a proposal to ban a federal cryptocurrency — has complicated the path forward.

After an 89-to-9 vote to move the bill, the Senate is expected to approve it as soon as Thursday and return it to the House, though internal divides could still keep it from the president’s desk.

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