President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is canceling the signing of a bipartisan housing reform bill, stating it will not be signed until Congress passes his election and voting reform legislation, the SAVE America Act. The president had been scheduled to sign the housing bill at noon on Capitol Hill.
"Today's Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency," Trump wrote in a social media post. He reiterated this stance to reporters, stating he wanted to "see what happens" with the SAVE America Act before proceeding with the housing legislation.
The SAVE America Act proposes significant changes to election and voting procedures, including requirements for photo identification at polling places and proof of citizenship for voter registration. Democrats have rejected the act, and while Trump has encouraged Senate Republicans to modify or eliminate the filibuster to advance the bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated there are insufficient votes for such a move.
Trump also commented on the housing market, suggesting that lowering interest rates would resolve the nation's housing challenges. "I made billions of dollars with housing. I know housing better than anybody maybe anywhere. It's all about the interest rate. Lower the interest rates, you can have all the housing you want," he said. He characterized the housing bill as being of "minor importance" compared to issues such as interest rates, the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and the SAVE America Act. He also referred to the bill as "Warren centric," referencing Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a co-sponsor.
The housing legislation, known as The 21st Century Road to Housing Act, passed both the House and the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. Its provisions aim to increase housing supply and alleviate a nationwide shortage by limiting large investors from purchasing single-family homes and by easing certain building regulations.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduled to meet with Trump on Thursday and expressed confidence that the president will eventually sign the bill. "But he wanted to make a point today, which is an important one. That's where the American people are. The American people want safe and secure elections, and the SAVE America Act does that," Johnson said.
Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren reacted to the cancellation, stating on X, "Huge bipartisan majorities in Congress passed a bill to lower housing costs. But at the 11th hour, Donald Trump is refusing to sign it into law. His policies have made your costs go up -- and he doesn't care."
Under normal circumstances, a bill becomes law if a president does not sign or veto it within 10 days while Congress is in session. However, if Congress adjourns before the 10-day period concludes, the bill can be subject to a pocket veto.