Key facts
- Isaac Boltansky, head of public policy at Pennymac, called for a ROAD to Housing 2.0 package building on the ROAD to Housing Act.
- Boltansky cited the lock-in effect from capital gains taxes and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act as starting points.
- The Mortgage Bankers Association's October road map proposes easing tri-merge credit report use and aligning loan-level price adjustments.
- The MBA road map also proposes lowering the annual mortgage insurance premium for Federal Housing Administration loans.
- Tim Rood of Impact Capitol said Democratic majorities can set committee agendas and withhold Senate confirmations when Congress convenes in January.
- An attorney told HousingWire that Brian Johnson's nomination to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is now at risk.
Democrats captured both chambers of Congress on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, according to HousingWire, leaving housing and mortgage policy dependent on agreement between the new majorities, President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans.
Isaac Boltansky, head of public policy at Pennymac, said voters made affordability a central concern and called for a "ROAD to Housing 2.0" package building on the ROAD to Housing Act. Asked what it should contain, he cited the lock-in effect created by capital gains taxes, which he said can discourage homeowners from selling, and the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act as a "good starting point."
The Mortgage Bankers Association said housing remains a bipartisan issue and that it will work with new and returning lawmakers and the Trump administration on proposals to lower costs. The trade group's October road map proposes reducing closing costs, expanding credit access and lowering rental housing financing costs, including easing tri-merge credit report use, aligning loan-level price adjustments and lowering the annual mortgage insurance premium for Federal Housing Administration loans.
Scott Norman, CEO of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association, told HousingWire the election was "a surprising night" that shifts power but creates opportunity. The American Land Title Association said consumer protection must remain part of the housing affordability debate, warning that "fraud is unaffordable."
Jake Krimmel, senior economist at Realtor.com, said Democrats have a mandate on pocketbook issues but whether they can turn it into legislation remains to be seen. He named the Middle East conflict as a variable for inflation and mortgage rates, saying a resolution that improves oil supply would likely ease inflation.
Tim Rood, founder and CEO of advisory firm Impact Capitol, wrote in his newsletter that Democratic majorities can control the House financial services and Senate banking committee agendas, investigate agencies, shape spending negotiations and withhold Senate confirmation of nominees when the new Congress convenes in January. He said Trump retains executive authority and agency leadership "does not change automatically with Congress."
An attorney told HousingWire that Brian Johnson's nomination to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is now at risk as Democrats may seek additional representation across financial agencies. The attorney said changes to the loan originator compensation rule remain unresolved.