Final Housing Markup of Session Yields Camaraderie, Conflict

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Legislation related to affordable housing and payment scams that could potentially harm older adults were among lawmakers' focus at the House's final legislative meeting before leaving Capitol Hill

Lawmakers considered several affordable housing bills as well as other legislation relevant to LeadingAge members at the House Financial Services Committee September 16, 2026-a notably charged markup due to differing opinions over legislation related to cryptocurrency and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Momentary conflict during the meeting, which took place on the chamber's last day in session before the 2026 midterm elections, were mostly sparked by HR 8957, which would create a strategic national reserve of Bitcoin, and HR 10184 would make significant changes to the structure and administration of the CFPB.

For LeadingAge members, of particular note is HR 10325, introduced by Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA-43). HR 10325 requires the Federal Home Loan Banks to fund an Affordable Housing Program (AHP) with 15% of a Bank's net income in the preceding year, an increase from the current 10%, representing the equivalent of $300 million in new funding for housing without increasing appropriations.

Chair French Hill (R-AR-02) and Representative Mike Flood (R-NE-01) both spoke in opposition to the bill. While they both acknowledged the importance of the AHP, they argued that the FHLBs would likely reduce their voluntary funding in response to an increase in mandatory funding, and the better move would be to expand the range of activities that could be supported by AHP rather than require a higher set-aside.

The bill did receive a favorable report, but it is likely that the Financial Services Committee will take up FHLB reform in the future.

LeadingAge supports strong investment in affordable housing investment through the Federal Home Loan Banks and will monitor these efforts closely.

Two other bills advanced during the markup relevant to aging services providers. First is HR 4936, titled the Taskforce for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams (TRAPS) Act, introduced by Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) and Jim Himes (D-CT-04). The TRAPS Act would create an interagency task force to evaluate trends in payment scams on older adults and develop concrete strategies to prevent them. Reps. Nunn and Himes are both deeply engaged in national security policy and this bill is an extension of this interest, as many payment scams originate overseas. It received strong bipartisan support across the Committee and was given a favorable report out of committee. LeadingAge supports the bipartisan bill and applauds lawmakers' efforts to enact a task force on the issue.

Second is HR 5889, titled the Eviction Helpline Act and introduced by Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07). This bill would authorize a support helpline for residents of federally subsidized housing facing eviction. Both Chair Hill and Ranking Member Waters spoke in strong support of the bill, acknowledging that HUD has an obligation to connect their clients-who are particularly vulnerable to economic shocks that can lead to eviction-with the resources that would keep them housed. Chair Hill also noted that the LeadingAge-supported bill was originally included in an earlier version of the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing bill but was dropped from the enacted bill, and commended Rep. Pressley for her persistence. The bill has strong support and left the committee with a favorable report.

This markup did not include the Build Housing Affordably Act (HR 9311), sponsored by Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE-01) and Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02). This bill would streamline certain infeasible domestic procurements requirements on housing developments established through Build America, Buy America (BABA). LeadingAge is tracking this bill closely with our national partners and will report out when it is considered by the Committee.