Rep. Cleaver’s Statement on Senate Passage of bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which includes legislation sponsored by Rep. Cleaver.

"American families are struggling with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, groceries, utilities, education, and other everyday expenses. However, rent and mortgage costs remain the largest single expense for American households, and a growing number of Americans are burdened by unsustainably high housing costs, with far too many sacrificing necessities, accepting affordable but substandard housing, or entering homelessness.

"I applaud Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren, Chairman Tim Scott, and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, for working with the Senate to pass the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act, which will improve housing affordability and boost housing supply. The package includes several bills I have co-written with my Senate colleagues, including key legislation to improve USDA rural housing programs, revitalize HUD housing programs, and incentivize state and local zoning reforms - all of which are necessary to lower housing costs for Missouri families.

"Americans want a Congress that cooperates, solves problems, and improves their lives. That means fighting when we must but also working together where we can. Housing is not a Democratic or Republican issue, or a rural or urban issue, as all Americans need a home. Young Americans still long for the American Dream of upward mobility through homeownership. As Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, I will work with my colleagues to ensure much needed and long overdue housing legislation is passed into law during this Congress."

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.