Johnson Tries to Attach SAVE Act to $350 Billion Military Bill

Q: How would the stalled housing bill have restricted corporations from buying single-family homes?

It would have limited purchases by large institutional investors, not ordinary buyers, by barring firms that already own at least 350 housing units from buying additional single-family homes. The restriction was contained in Section 1001 of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD Act of Housing, titled “Homes are for people, not corporations.” Its purpose was to reduce competition from large investors that often outbid families, especially with cash offers, and to steer more homes toward owner-occupants. The bill did include a narrow build-to-rent exception. Companies could still develop single-family homes intended as rentals, but those homes could not be held indefinitely under the exception; they would have to be sold within seven years. That was designed to allow some new supply to be built while preventing long-term accumulation of single-family homes by major corporate landlords. Supporters of the measure argued it would help address affordability and homeownership by curbing private-equity-style buying in a market already short by millions of homes. In practical terms, the bill sought to stop large corporate investors from expanding their single-family portfolios, while leaving room for homebuilding and smaller-scale market activity.

3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 9

Mike Johnson said he will make another run at the SAVE America Act by folding it into a $350 billion military funding package that Republicans plan to move through budget reconciliation.
Trump quickly backed the push, calling on House and Senate leaders to make the elections measure their top priority as he seeks to shore up Republicans before the midterms.
The strategy faces the same Senate obstacle that blocked an earlier attempt: the parliamentarian ruled in June that the SAVE Act does not qualify for reconciliation because it is not primarily about taxes or spending.
John Thune also lacks the votes to bypass a 60-vote filibuster, leaving the proposal unlikely to clear the Senate even if the House approves it.
The renewed effort underscores Trump's drive to revive a stalled elections bill despite procedural barriers and growing pressure on Republicans ahead of November.