WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing ceremony for the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on Wednesday, delaying enactment of what housing advocates have described as the most comprehensive federal housing legislation of the 21st century.
The bill, which was approved by both the House and Senate with bipartisan support, is designed to address housing affordability and expand the nation’s housing supply. The legislation also includes the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, a measure strongly supported by credit unions that would reduce the frequency with which federally insured credit union boards are required to meet.
Just hours before a scheduled signing ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, Trump announced on social media that he would not sign the housing package until Congress passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation requiring voters to provide identification and proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
‘National Emergency,’ Says Trump
“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, according to the BBC.
The move surprised lawmakers and observers on Capitol Hill, including some members of Congress who reportedly arrived for the signing ceremony before learning from reporters that it had been canceled.
Under the Constitution, the legislation could still become law without Trump’s signature if he neither signs nor vetoes the measure within 10 days while Congress remains in session.
More Than 40 Provisions
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act contains more than 40 provisions aimed at addressing housing affordability and increasing housing supply nationwide. Among its provisions are measures intended to streamline home construction, reduce regulatory barriers and limit the number of single-family homes that institutional investors can acquire.
Housing affordability has emerged as a major concern among voters. According to a survey cited by the BBC from the Bipartisan Policy Center, 89% of voters across the political spectrum want Congress to take action to make housing more affordable.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told CNN he hoped Trump would ultimately sign the legislation.
“That was his call to make,” Thune said. “What I would say is that the bill is a bill that’s been worked on for a long time. It’s an affordability issue, and eventually I hope he’ll find his way to sign it.”
‘Doesn’t Make Any Sense’
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), a co-sponsor of the legislation, told CNBC she did not understand the president’s decision.
“This just doesn’t make any sense other than whatever it is he wants to do, it’s a complete indifference to the cost squeeze on American families,” Warren said.
According to the BBC, Trump later attended a lunch with Senate Republicans but did not answer reporters’ questions about the housing legislation, instead discussing the identification measure.
The housing bill effort comes as the United States continues to face a housing shortage estimated at more than four million units last year, according to Realtor.com data cited by the BBC.
