WASHINGTON, D.C. — The bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a massive housing affordability package, is expected to become law Friday night- even without President Trump’s signature- as long as the president does not veto the bill before midnight.
Trump is refusing to sign the legislation and is instead demanding that the Republican-led Senate pass a voter ID and election reform measure.
“While I would have preferred the president sign the bill, the most important thing is that it is allowed to become law tonight so Americans can begin benefiting from lower housing costs, increased supply and expanded opportunities for families to achieve the dream of homeownership,” Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y., said in a statement Friday.
“This historic legislation to ease our nation’s housing crisis was the result of exhaustive bipartisan negotiations, and the White House played an important role in helping get it through Congress,” he added.
It was just over two weeks ago when the president was scheduled to attend a high-profile signing ceremony for the housing package alongside Republican leaders at the Capitol. But the signing ceremony was abruptly called off by Trump, and the conversation shifted to voter ID.
“We needed this bipartisan bill to streamline a lot of procedures. It put a lot of resources on the table,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., in June. “And he [Trump] is just not listening to the American people. And he’s demanding a bill that is going to undermine people’s right to vote.”
On Friday, President Trump confirmed on Truth Social he would not be signing the bill.
“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, which is polling at 97% with the Republican Party, and very high with the non-politician Dumocrats,” the president wrote.
The SAVE Act requires voter ID and proof of citizenship, like a birth certificate or U.S. passport, to register to vote. But the bill is a nonstarter for Democrats.
Sen. Gillibrand argues it could actually impede lawful voters from exercising their top civic duty.
“He’s demanding a bill that is going to undermine people’s right to vote,” Gillibrand said.
One of the few ways for the SAVE Act to pass is by eliminating the Senate filibuster and its 60-vote threshold, which is needed to pass most bills. Doing so would bypass the minority party- in this case, Democrats- and allow the majority party, Republicans, to pass bills with a simple majority. It’s something the president has demanded from Senate Republican leaders.
“Yes, I’ve thought that for some time,” Rep. Langworthy said in late June when asked if Republicans should eliminate the filibuster. “The Democrats will use their power if they’re given it by the voters. … I don’t think the filibuster is helpful for our party or any party that happens to be in the majority.”
Some House Republicans, including Langworthy, agree with the president but say good legislation shouldn’t be stymied by voter ID demands.
“I believe in voter ID. I want to see it through. But I think we need to walk and chew gum at the same time. I do want to get bipartisan things done,” Langworthy said last month.
Trump’s decision not to sign the housing bill is the latest in recent tension within the GOP, primarily between the president and Senate Republicans. Recent public and private quarrels come just a few months before the fall midterm elections, the outcome of which will have major consequences on what the second half of Trump’s second term will look like.
