Catenaa, Thursday, March 05, 2026- The US Senate advanced a sweeping housing package that includes a temporary ban on issuing a central bank digital currency, clearing a procedural vote with broad bipartisan support.
Lawmakers voted 84-6 on a motion to proceed with the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, opening the measure to full Senate debate.
The bill focuses on boosting housing supply and addressing affordability but includes a provision restricting the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating a CBDC through December 31, 2030.
The restriction allows an exception for any dollar-denominated digital currency that is open, permissionless, and private, and that preserves the privacy protections of physical cash.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren described the legislation as one of the largest housing packages in decades and a step toward curbing corporate dominance in the housing market.
The anti-CBDC language appears near the end of the 303-page bill. Its inclusion reflects a legislative strategy of attaching financial policy provisions to broader measures.
House Republicans had pushed to incorporate the CBDC restriction.
The White House signaled support for the legislation, citing both housing reforms and the halt of a potential CBDC, which officials said could pose risks to privacy and civil liberties.
The measure now moves to full Senate consideration, where lawmakers will debate amendments and final passage.
