House Speaker Mike Johnson stated Thursday that Congress will transmit a bipartisan housing bill to President Donald Trump for his signature, following a meeting at the White House. Johnson did not provide a specific date for when the bill would be sent.
The announcement came after Trump had abruptly canceled a signing ceremony for the bill earlier in the week, linking its progress to the passage of his signature election and voting reform legislation, the SAVE America Act.
"We're on exactly the same page," Johnson said of his discussion with Trump. "He -- he is -- wants to ensure that we stop any blockade in the House. Congress has work to do, and that's what we're going to do, and so we'll be moving forward on all of that. We're transmitting the housing bill to the White House."
Transmitting the bill would initiate a 10-day period for the president to sign or veto it, after which it would become law if no action is taken. The bill has already passed both the Senate and the House with veto-proof majorities, and Johnson expressed confidence that Trump would sign it.
Trump, in a social media post following the meeting, urged House Republicans to "unify" and cease voting down legislative rules. He stated that allowing "Radical Left Dumocrats" to control what comes to a vote would worsen outcomes for Republicans. The president's call for unity came despite his own condition that no legislation be signed until the SAVE America Act is passed.
The SAVE America Act proposes significant election and voting reforms, including requirements for photo identification at polling places and proof of citizenship for voter registration. Democrats have opposed the bill, arguing it would disenfranchise voters lacking the necessary documentation. Trump has also encouraged Senate Republicans to consider eliminating or modifying the filibuster to advance the legislation, though Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated there is insufficient Republican support for such a move.
Legislative proceedings in the House have faced disruptions this week due to a faction of conservative House Republicans threatening to block other bills from moving forward until the SAVE America Act is passed. Johnson described the situation as "another day at the office" and expressed optimism that the legislative work would be completed, noting the small margins in Congress. The House is scheduled to be in session next week.