Mortgage policy discussions continue amid split Congress and White House

Housing and mortgage industry leaders believe there is room for housing policy progress in Congress, despite the divided government with a Democratic-controlled House and Senate and a Republican-led White House, HousingWire reported.

Democrats won both chambers in the recent election, but any housing legislation will require support from President Donald Trump and enough Republican votes to pass the Senate.

Isaac Boltansky, head of public policy at Pennymac, emphasized affordability as a key voter concern and suggested building on the existing ROAD to Housing Act with a 2.0 package addressing issues like capital gains taxes and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act.

The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) stated that housing remains a bipartisan issue and pledged to work with lawmakers and the Trump administration to advance proposals aimed at lowering costs, including easing credit report use, aligning loan-level price adjustments, and reducing FHA mortgage insurance premiums.

Scott Norman, CEO of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, noted that while the election shifted power, it also created opportunities for policy changes, reflecting the dynamic nature of political leadership.