Representative Anna Paulina Luna is taking a firm stand against a Senate-passed housing bill, creating a significant hurdle for House leadership despite a direct push for the legislation from President Trump. In an interview with The Hill, Luna made it clear that she intends to vote no on the procedural rule required to bring the measure to the floor.
This move is particularly notable because Speaker Mike Johnson currently operates with a razor-thin margin in the House, meaning he needs near-unanimous support from his party to advance any legislation through these initial procedural steps. If Luna and a group of like-minded colleagues follow through on their pledge to block the rule, the bill could remain stalled indefinitely.
The legislation in question, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, was designed to address housing affordability by providing incentives for new home construction, establishing programs to repurpose abandoned buildings, and authorizing grants to modernize existing residences. It originally saw strong support in the Senate, passing on a bipartisan vote of 89-10 back in March. Despite that momentum, the bill has encountered stiff resistance in the House, where conservatives have raised alarms over specific components of the package.
Luna’s opposition is rooted in her frustration with Senate Majority Leader John Thune
She specifically pointed to a lack of movement on the SAVE America Act, which is legislation that previously passed the House. That bill would mandate that individuals provide proof of citizenship and present an ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. Luna expressed deep dissatisfaction that Thune has not done more to push that priority, especially given that it would require Democratic support to bypass a filibuster in the Senate.
Furthermore, Luna is unhappy with Thune regarding the issue of central bank digital currency, or CBDC. She has been a vocal advocate for a permanent ban on CBDCs, arguing that they pose a significant threat to financial privacy and individual control.
When discussing the housing bill and her decision to block it, Luna stated, “I’m not voting for the rule on the housing bill because John Thune is not doing his job on the SAVE AMERICA Act, and not to mention John Thune also said in no way, shape or form is there going to be a CBDC ban.” She added, “And I know the Senate desperately wants this for their elections, and I don’t care, so I’m a no on the rule, and there’s a group that will be voting with me, so we’re not voting for that.”
The tensions are exacerbated by the fact that the housing bill contains a provision that would only temporarily ban the creation of a CBDC until 2030, which falls short of the permanent prohibition Luna and other conservatives are demanding. Beyond the CBDC language, there is also pushback against a requirement that would force large institutional investors to sell off build-to-rent single-family homes within a seven-year window.
Some lawmakers view this as a government overreach into private business operations. Representative Richard McCormick previously questioned the constitutionality of the government dictating when a business must sell property they have developed and invested in, emphasizing that such actions interfere with property rights.
President Trump has been actively lobbying for the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. In a post on Truth Social on Monday, he urged Congress to pass the legislation, arguing that it would ensure homes remain available for individuals rather than being bought up by corporations.
He also referenced the work of Senators Bernie Moreno and Tim Scott in moving the bill forward. Thune also commented on the situation on Tuesday, noting that Trump’s message was a positive development and expressing his belief that passing the bill would be a win for the chamber.
The political landscape surrounding this bill is complex, as House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill has been working to negotiate changes with the committee’s ranking member, Maxine Waters. So far, those discussions have not yielded a compromise that satisfies the various factions within the House.
The White House has previously expressed full support for the Senate’s version of the package, framing it as part of a broader economic agenda to address homeownership and affordability. Trump has frequently highlighted the need to protect the housing market, even calling for a ban on large-scale Wall Street investment in single-family homes during his State of the Union address in February.
Published: May 13, 2026 11:15 am