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U.S. Senate Passes Housing Bill with CBDC Ban Until 2030 

Highlights:

  • Senate passed H.R. 6644 by 85-5, advancing a broad housing affordability package.
  • The CBDC restriction would remain effective through December 31, 2030.
  • The House must approve the Senate amendment before the bill reaches Trump.

The U.S. Senate approved a broad housing affordability package on Monday with an 85-5 vote. The legislation combines housing, banking, and digital currency measures. It now returns to the House, where leaders expect a vote. After House approval, President Donald Trump can sign the measure into law.

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Supporters describe the package as a response to high housing costs and limited supply. Therefore, the bill targets permitting delays, financing barriers, home repairs, and manufactured housing. It also restricts certain large institutional investors from purchasing additional single-family homes. Meanwhile, lawmakers included a separate digital dollar provision near the bill’s closing pages.

Senate Vote Moves Housing Package Forward

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act grew from negotiations between House and Senate leaders. Earlier versions cleared both chambers, although lawmakers needed agreement on a final text. As a result, the Senate vote moved that compromise one step closer to enactment.

Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott said the measure would increase supply and lower costs. Likewise, ranking member Elizabeth Warren highlighted provisions targeting private equity purchases of homes. House Financial Services Chairman French Hill also welcomed the compromise and anticipated presidential approval. However, the House must still accept the Senate’s latest version before the bill reaches Trump.

Beyond housing, the legislation updates several rules affecting community banks and mortgage access. For example, it supports small-dollar mortgages and seeks faster reviews for selected housing projects. It also authorizes programs for home repairs, local planning, and vacant-building conversions. Still, Congress would need future appropriations for several authorized initiatives.

CBDC Ban Sets Federal Reserve Limits

The bill prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating a CBDC directly or through intermediaries. It also covers digital assets that closely resemble a CBDC. However, the restriction expires on December 31, 2030, creating a temporary legal barrier. Until then, the Fed could not launch a public digital dollar under the covered definition.

The text defines the restricted asset as dollar-denominated money carrying a direct Federal Reserve liability. The language excludes qualifying dollar-denominated currencies that remain open, permissionless, private, and protective of cash-like privacy. Therefore, the provision leaves room for certain private digital dollar models.

The measure also says the Federal Reserve would need explicit congressional authorization before issuing a digital dollar later. Therefore, the sunset date would not automatically grant authority to launch such a product. Instead, Congress would retain control over any future decision involving government-backed digital currency for public use. 

Trump already directed federal agencies to stop establishing, issuing, or promoting central bank digital currencies. His January executive order last year also ended related agency initiatives unless federal law required them. Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said a United States CBDC remains clearly off the table in May. Instead, he said the administration will focus on moving the Clarity Act across the finish line. 

Global Digital Currency Work Continues Elsewhere

The United States’ approach differs from developments in Europe and China. The European Central Bank plans digital euro testing next year before a possible 2029 launch. Meanwhile, China continues developing and expanding the digital yuan through its central bank. Reuters reported that China added 26 financial institutions to a cross-border digital yuan platform. The agreements aim to increase settlement services connected to the e-CNY system. 

Three countries have already launched central bank digital currencies, according to the think tank Atlantic Council. Another 41 jurisdictions have pilot programs, while 33 remain in development. In addition, 40 jurisdictions continue researching possible digital currency frameworks.

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