Congressional leaders have released updated text for a sweeping housing bill that would bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency through 2030, reflecting a bicameral agreement that pushes the long-stalled measure toward a final vote.
Lawmakers released the revised text on June 16 under the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. The CBDC restriction is not new to the bill — the Senate passed an earlier version containing it by an 89-10 vote in March — but the updated text keeps it in place while reconciling House and Senate differences.
Senator Tim Scott, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Representative French Hill, and Representative Maxine Waters announced the agreement, which reflects long bipartisan, bicameral talks. Among the new changes is a three-year sunset provision for a disaster relief program, a compromise to address House concerns. Housing remains the main focus of the legislation. However, the CBDC restriction has added a new layer of debate around digital currency policy in Washington.
Housing reform meets digital asset debate
Lawmakers say the housing bill aims to tackle affordability by increasing supply, cutting regulatory barriers, and reducing costs for families. The proposal also includes provisions meant to protect taxpayers and give more control to local authorities, and bar large institutional investors from buying up single-family homes.
Chairman Tim Scott said, “2026 is the Year of Affordability,” adding that he and his colleagues “stand ready to deliver it to President Trump’s desk.” He linked the bill to broader efforts to ease housing pressure for American households.
Senator Elizabeth Warren also pointed to the housing measures in the bill. She stated, “The historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will address our nation’s housing crisis by boosting housing supply, bringing down costs, and for the first time ever stopping private equity from buying up homes.”
The legislation has drawn attention for another reason. It includes a provision that would block the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency, or any similar digital asset “substantially similar” to one, effective until December 31, 2030.
The Temporary Ban Has Split the House
While the Senate cleared the bill comfortably in March, it has stalled in the House, where some conservatives object that the CBDC ban is only temporary rather than permanent. Representative Scott Perry was among the critics, arguing that lawmakers should ensure a central bank digital currency is never created. The updated text does not make the prohibition permanent, leaving that tension unresolved as the bill moves forward.
Crypto policy gains momentum
The CBDC restriction fits into the Trump administration’s broader approach to digital assets, where officials have backed stablecoin regulation but rejected the idea of a government-issued digital currency. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has supported that stance. At the same time, the administration has backed the Digital Asset Market CLARITY Act and other crypto-related bills.
Several states are moving in the same direction. South Carolina, for example, recently passed legislation blocking state involvement in central bank digital currency pilot programs. Together, these moves show resistance to a federal CBDC spreading across both federal and state levels.
Lawmakers are still working on broader crypto market rules. Supporters of the CLARITY Act have held meetings with administration officials, law enforcement agencies, and congressional staff. Those discussions have focused on regulatory clarity and how blockchain rules should work in practice.
With the updated text released, the bill is set for Senate consideration this week, after which the House could take it up following its recess — moving the legislation one step closer to final approval and potential delivery to President Trump.
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