Personal Explanation

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Mr. TORRES of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I was not present in the House Chamber due to my Congressional Primary being the same day. Had I been present, I would have voted unequivocally YEA on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. I'm thrilled to see the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act pass the House and head to the President's desk. This is the most significant step Congress has taken on housing affordability in decades, and it carries the fingerprints of my team's work, sitting at the table through round after round of negotiations to get this right. While I could not be on the floor for today's vote, I am proud of what we got done and the historic win for the American people. I also want to recognize the extraordinary leadership of Ranking Member Maxine Waters, Chairman French Hill, Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren, and Chairman Tim Scott. This legislation is the product of years of work, countless conversations, and a genuine commitment to finding bipartisan solutions to America's housing affordability crisis. Their leadership, persistence, and willingness to work across the aisle helped make this historic achievement possible. While members may have approached this challenge from different perspectives, they shared a common goal: expanding housing opportunities and making it easier for families across the country to find safe, affordable places to live. Five provisions I authored or championed made it into the final package. We are cutting red tape so families can get bigger, more affordable apartments. We are protecting public housing residents from dangerous heat. We are helping families on Section 8 build savings and reach self-sufficiency. We are increasing oversight of failing public housing authorities. And we are giving HUD the tools to keep multifamily loan limits in step with the real cost of building housing. The housing crisis did not happen overnight, and it will not be solved overnight, but this bill is real, bipartisan progress, and the Bronx will benefit from it. My provisions included in the final package are as follows: Single Stair (Sec. 102): Directs HUD to issue best practices and technical guidance supporting greater use of single-stair buildings, allowing for more family-sized units and lower constructIon costs. Temperature Sensors (Sec. 106): Establishes a HUD pilot grant program for public housing authorities and federally assisted housing owners to install temperature sensors, helping ensure compliance with heat and cold safety requirements. Housing Affordability Act (Sec. 211): Authorizes HUD to increase multifamily loan limits to keep pace with housing market costs, restoring higher House-passed loan multipliers to support more affordable multifamily construction. Helping More Families Save Act (Sec. 404): Creates a HUD pilot program letting up to 25 housing providers establish escrow savings accounts for as many as 5,000 families on Section 8 or public housing assistance, with funds accessible after self-sufficiency milestones or program participation. CAT Act (Sec. 805): Requires struggling public housing authorities to provide annual status notices and assessments to HUD, disclose contract information publicly, and directs the HUD Inspector General to review housing conditions and the performance of receivers, monitors, and private partners. YEA on Roll Call No. 223, and YEA on Roll Call No. 224.

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