"NOT ONE DOLLAR": HOUSE PASSES BILL TO BLOCK TALIBAN AID AS HOUSING REFORM MOVES TO SENATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 119th Congress has intensified its efforts to safeguard American interests both abroad and at home. On Monday, March 16, 2026, the House of Representatives advanced two critical pieces of legislation designed to fulfill key "America First" mandates: cutting off funding for hostile regimes and slashing the "red tape" driving the national housing crisis.
Targeting the Taliban’s Cash Flow
By a unanimous voice vote, the House passed H.R. 260, the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act. Introduced by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), the bill is a direct response to reports that international cash aid intended for humanitarian relief is being systematically diverted to the Taliban.
The Mandate: The Act requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy within 180 days to deter foreign governments and NGOs from providing assistance to the Taliban.
The "Hate for Free" Doctrine: Burchett stated bluntly on the House floor, "They will hate us for free. We do not need to give them hard-earned American tax dollars."
Bipartisan Pressure: While the bill received broad support, Rep. Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) noted that the minority party remains concerned about a "lack of clarity" regarding the Trump administration’s long-term strategy in Afghanistan and Iran.
Tackling the "Cost of Living" Crisis
Domestically, the House has prioritized the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a sweeping bipartisan package aimed at increasing the supply of affordable homes. The legislation comes as a January 2026 Pew Research survey revealed that 62% of Americans are "very concerned" about housing costs—the third highest economic anxiety behind healthcare and food prices.
Key provisions of the housing bill include:
NEPA Streamlining: The bill creates "categorical exclusions" to exempt small-scale housing projects from lengthy environmental reviews, which experts say add years and millions of dollars to construction costs.
Manufactured Housing: By modernizing the definition of manufactured homes and removing the "permanent chassis" requirement, the bill aims to unlock factory-built housing as a primary source of affordability.
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Institutional Investor Restrictions: Following Executive Order 14376, the bill includes provisions to limit large institutional investors from "crowding out" families in the single-family home market.
The Senate Standoff
While the housing bill passed the House with strong support, it now faces a reconciliation process with the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act. Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) have led a similar effort in the upper chamber, though sticking points remain over bank deregulation and the permanent status of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) ban.
