The long-anticipated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing reform package, appeared poised to reach President Donald Trump’s desk this morning—until the president announced a last-minute change of plans that members of Congress had not anticipated.
Earlier this morning, Trump announced on Truth Social that he was postponing both the news conference and the signing of the housing bill, which would have been the most expansive housing bill to date and aimed to reduce housing costs,, until Congress passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a controversial voter-ID measure. Trump is now continuing to urge Republicans in both the Senate and House of Representatives to advance the bill before lawmakers leave Capitol Hill for the August recess.
Trump also criticized the housing bill, calling it of “minor importance” compared to other pending legislation and issues like lowering interest rates, renewing FISA and the SAVE America Act — which is what Americans really care about, he said.
“Get the bad Republicans to approve it or, better yet, Terminate the Filibuster and approve it, AND EVERYTHING ELSE REPUBLICANS HAVE EVER DREAMED OF,” he wrote. “Republicans will feel very stupid if they don’t do it first. I’ll be watching with tears in my eyes!!!”
While some members, like Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), have been outspoken on how Congress does not have the votes to pass the bill, others, like Representative Chip Roy (R-TX), have said they will not vote on any other measures until SAVE is passed.
Other members, like Rep. Brandon Gill, are urging Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chairman and Reo. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to schedule a markup of the SAVE Act as soon as possible.
“The SAVE Act is overwhelmingly popular, both amongst your colleagues and across the country,” Rep. Gill and 34 other members wrote in a letter to Rep. McConnell. “Ensuring that the outcome of American elections is determined solely by American citizens is a
foundational premise of our republic.”
But Trump’s failure to sign the housing bill has also come as a blow to all members who fought for strong provisions to improve housing affordability and strengthen local responses to homelessness, such as Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX).
“Too many people in my district and across the country are being priced out by rising housing costs, high rents and economic uncertainty,” Rep. Garcia said. “People need practical solutions that lower costs, expand affordable housing and help them achieve the dream of homeownership.”
