WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)— Lawmakers in Washington are trying to make it easier for Americans to buy a home but have different views on how to do that. 

Sen. Raphael Warnock’s (D-Ga.) “Downpayment Toward Equity” Act would give up to $20,000 to first-time home buyers.

It’s meant to help cover downpayments and closing costs.

“It’s difficult to overstate what a leg up that is for ordinary hardworking people,” Warnock said.

Warnock says homeownership is out of reach for many in his home state. He blames private investors for buying up property.

“People are struggling. We’re dealing with some difficult dynamics in the housing market,” Warnock said. 

But other lawmakers blame inflation and interest rates – saying more government assistance isn’t the answer.

“Typically, what government can do best from Washington is just get out of the way,” Sen. Tim Scott said. 

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) told the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Development Committee Tuesday that he’s seen firsthand that federal subsidies don’t work.

“Folks who are growing up today where I grew up 50 years ago simply cannot afford a home better today than they did 50 years ago,” Scott said. 

Real estate analyst Jeff Ostrowski says the legislation would help some first-time buyers, but he says there’s already a shortage of homes on the market.

“The concern from housing economists is, if a federal program passes, it’s going to push more people into the market and just drive prices up,” Ostrowski said. 

Ostrowski says a proposal by President Joe Biden in his State of the Union to offer home sellers a tax credit could help that supply issue.