May 19, 2026

New Democrat Coalition Endorses 21st Century ROAD to Housing Bill

In the first Coalition-wide bill endorsement of 2026, New Dems are supporting legislation to help build more homes and lower costs

Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) and New Dem Whip Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) announced the Coalition’s endorsement of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.

Earlier this week, Housing, Infrastructure, and Transportation Working Group Chair Norma Torres (CA-35) issued a statement in support of the legislation, which incorporates provisions from 19 New Dem Member-led bills that will help lower costs by accelerating housing production, getting homes to the market quicker, and supporting buyers and renters.

New Dem Chair Brad Schneider and Whip Marilyn Strickland issued the following statement on the endorsement:

“Hard-working Americans across the country face a worsening housing crisis that makes the dream of renting or owning a home feel out of reach.

“The severity of this moment requires a decisive and immediate response from Congress. New Dems are proud to stand behind commonsense, bipartisan legislation that incorporates the recommendations of our Housing Affordability Agenda to accelerate housing production and lower costs for families.

“We call on our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advance this bill, and urge the Senate to follow suit so we can help lower housing costs and make the dream of homeownership available to hardworking Americans.”

This Coalition-wide position was adopted following a vote amongst New Dem Members, with the support of two-thirds of all 114 New Dem Members required to reach the endorsement threshold.

New Dem Members have engaged with the House Financial Services Committee, our partners in the Senate, and outside stakeholders to ensure our Members’ priorities are reflected in housing legislation. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act reflects provisions in the New Dem Affordability Agenda and the following New Dem-sponsored or co-led bills:

  1. H.R. 4660, Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act - Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16)
  2. H.R. 5907, Accelerating Home Building Act - Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01)
  3. H.R. 6327, Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act - Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA-07)
  4. H.R. 7791, Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones Act - Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09)
  5. H.R. 5990, Whole Home Repairs Act - Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)
  6. H.R. 2840, Housing Supply Frameworks Act - Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)
  7. H.R. 4810, BUILD Housing Act - Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16)
  8. H.R. 6727, To amend the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to provide reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy programs - the late Rep. David Scott (GA-13)
  9. H.R. 5591, RESIDE Act - Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16) and Rep. Johnny Olszewski (MD-02)
  10. H.R. 6293, Housing Supply Expansion Act - Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46) and Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50)
  11. H.R. 7792, Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act - Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), Rep. Chris Pappas (NH-01), Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), and Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16)
  12. H.R. 6025, Appraisal Industry Improvement Act - Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32) and Rep. Janelle Bynum (OR-05)
  13. H.R. 1981, Choice in Affordable Housing Act - Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06)
  14. H.R. 2362, VA Home Loan Awareness Act - Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09), and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02)
  15. H.R. 965, Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act - Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32)
  16. H.R. 4989, Streamlining Rural Housing Act - Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)
  17. H.R. 7504, Housing for America’s Middle Class Act - Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05)
  18. H.R. 1640, HEIRS Act - Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)
  19. H.R. 975, Credit Union Board Modernization Act - Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52)