WASHINGTON — Bipartisan efforts on several domestic policy initiatives advanced in Congress this week as lawmakers from both parties continued work on housing, water infrastructure and agriculture legislation, underscoring areas of cooperation despite broader partisan disputes over other priorities.
The most significant recent development came after the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on July 11 without President Donald Trump's signature, following bipartisan approval in both the House of Representatives and Senate. The legislation includes measures intended to expand housing supply, streamline some federal requirements, support community lenders and reform disaster recovery programs, according to congressional leaders and committee statements.
House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, a Republican from Arkansas, said the legislation reflected years of bipartisan work aimed at improving housing affordability and expanding homeownership opportunities. Democratic lawmakers also highlighted provisions authorizing reforms to the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program, describing them as a long-term framework for disaster recovery assistance.
Congressional committees are also considering bipartisan legislation on water infrastructure. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is scheduled to mark up the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, a bill that would authorize projects involving ports, inland waterways, flood protection and environmental restoration. Committee leaders said the measure has attracted support from a range of industry groups and local stakeholders.
Separately, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman released a discussion draft of what he has called "Farm Bill 2.0," saying it incorporates more than 100 bipartisan priorities developed through consultations with lawmakers and agricultural organizations. The proposal remains under congressional consideration and has not yet received final approval.
Housing policy also remains an area of continuing bipartisan engagement beyond recently enacted legislation. Members of both parties are expected to participate in discussions later this week on additional proposals intended to increase housing supply and improve affordability, reflecting continued interest in pursuing further legislative action.
The legislative activity comes as Congress works through a crowded agenda before the August recess, with negotiations continuing on appropriations measures and other major policy issues. While disagreements persist on immigration, budget legislation and election-related proposals, lawmakers from both parties have continued to identify targeted domestic initiatives where bipartisan agreement remains possible.
