Key facts
- President Donald Trump characterized the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as "a yawn."
- Trump stated the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is his top domestic priority.
- The housing bill aims to expand housing supply and reduce homeownership costs.
- The SAVE America Act would impose nationwide voter identification requirements and proof-of-citizenship standards.
- Trump expressed skepticism about the SAVE America Act's ability to pass the Senate.
- A signing ceremony for the housing bill was previously canceled by Trump.
President Donald Trump on Monday described the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act as insignificant, calling it "a yawn" and stating it pales in comparison to his top domestic priority, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Trump expressed doubt that the SAVE America Act, which aims to implement nationwide voter identification requirements and proof-of-citizenship standards, would pass the Senate due to opposition from some Republican senators.
Last week, Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing ceremony for the housing legislation, announcing on Truth Social that he would not sign it into law until the SAVE America Act was passed, which he deemed a "National Emergency."
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which had passed the House with a 358-32 vote after clearing the Senate, is intended to increase housing supply and lower homeownership costs. The SAVE America Act, passed by the House in February, has garnered strong Republican support but faces significant Democratic opposition, making its passage through the Senate's 60-vote filibuster threshold unlikely.
Under congressional rules, a bill automatically becomes law if the president neither signs nor vetoes it within 10 days, excluding Sundays, while Congress is in session. Lawmakers involved in crafting the housing measure had emphasized a months-long bipartisan effort to address housing supply constraints and affordability.