[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

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                          HON. RITCHIE TORRES

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 23, 2026

  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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