NPR News: 06-23-2026 6AM EDT

Korva Coleman· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. The Senate has passed the largest housing affordability bill in decades. NPR's Stephen Bisaha reports the legislation passed with bipartisan support.

Stephen Bisaha0:12

Before passing eighty-five to five, the bill's co-sponsor, Republican Senator Tim Scott, said the bill is meant to boost the country's housing supply.

Tim Scott· Soundbite0:20

When you put more housing supply on the market, more people have a chance to become a first-time home buyer.

Stephen Bisaha0:28

The bill does not order the construction of new homes. That's up to the private sector. Instead, Scott says the legislation is meant to encourage home builders by reforming parts of the permitting process.

Tim Scott· Soundbite0:38

When you cut red tape, you actually reduce the cost of housing.

Stephen Bisaha0:43

The bill also bans institutional investors from buying up large numbers of single-family homes. It now heads to the House of Representatives. Stephen Bisaha, NPR News.

Korva Coleman· Host0:52

The U.S. is temporarily lifting sanctions against Iranian oil for two months. It's an incentive to get Iran to comply with its part of the understanding with the U.S. to end the war. Vice President Vance says this will allow UN nuclear inspectors back into the country. But NPR's Aya Batrawy reports these inspectors have already been in Iran anyway.

Aya Batrawy1:15

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency that Vance is referring to was in the United Arab Emirates earlier this month, and I was there when Rafael Grossi said inspectors are already in Iran and had visited small labs in places that hadn't been attacked. But Vance seems