High Drama Unfolding in Washington, D.C., as the Republican- Controlled House Passes a NEW Bill That Will Scrutinize Taliban...
WASHINGTON, D.C. — April 21, 2026
The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives has passed two significant pieces of legislation in recent days, advancing priorities on national security and affordable housing.
The No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act (H.R. 260), sponsored by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), passed by voice vote with no objections. The bill directs U.S. foreign policy to oppose the provision of assistance by foreign governments and nongovernmental organizations to the Taliban, particularly from entities that receive U.S. foreign aid. It requires the Secretary of State to develop a strategy within 180 days to deter such assistance, identify ways to support Afghan women and former U.S. military partners, and submit reports to Congress on aid flows to Afghanistan.
Rep. Burchett cited information from Afghans opposing Taliban rule, stating that nearly all cash aid sent to Afghanistan ends up in the hands of the Taliban. He argued that the United States should not provide hard-earned American tax dollars to groups that oppose U.S. interests. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration.
Separately, the House passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a bipartisan measure aimed at addressing the national shortage of affordable housing. The legislation includes funding for affordable housing developments, grants for infrastructure supporting new residential construction, and reforms to encourage denser, mixed-use development in areas restricted by zoning laws.
The bill also streamlines the review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for certain housing-related projects, creating categorical exclusions for smaller-scale initiatives and eliminating redundant environmental assessments. It further envisions expanded use of manufactured housing by adjusting related construction requirements. Rep. Craig Goldman (R-TX) has been a leading advocate, emphasizing the need to reduce housing costs and improve affordability.
The legislation passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate, where a stand-alone version known as the ROAD to Housing Act is being reviewed. Both chambers will need to reconcile differences before a final version can be sent to the president.
The housing bill responds to widespread public concern about housing costs. A Pew Research Center survey conducted in late January found that over 62% of adults are “very” concerned about the cost of housing, ranking just behind health care and the price of food and consumer goods.
David M. Dworkin, president and CEO of the National Housing Conference, welcomed the House passage, noting that the housing crisis developed gradually and will require coordinated strategies to expand supply, reduce costs, and improve access. He described the bill as an important step forward but emphasized that solutions will come “one unit at a time.”
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The developments reflect ongoing bipartisan interest in addressing both national security concerns related to terrorism financing and the domestic challenge of housing affordability. The No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act passed with broad support, while the housing legislation involved negotiations between Republicans and Democrats to reach a compromise version.
Both bills now advance through the legislative process, with the Senate expected to take further action in the coming weeks. The outcomes could influence U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanistan and efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing nationwide.
