Trump Cancels Housing Bill Signing, Demands GOP Prioritize Voter ID Legislation
President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned White House ceremony to sign a bipartisan housing package Wednesday, insisting that congressional Republicans focus instead on passing the SAVE America Act, which he described as a national emergency.
“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 on Truth Social just hours before the scheduled event.
The president also took aim at one of the housing bill’s Democratic supporters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, while renewing his call for Senate Republicans to eliminate the legislative filibuster.
“The Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren centric housing bill, which is of minor importance compared to lower interest rates, and even FISA, pales in comparison to passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote.
He argued that Republicans should either secure enough votes to pass the election legislation or abolish the Senate’s 60-vote threshold altogether.
“The Dumocrats will do it in hour one, 100%,” Trump added. “Republicans will feel very stupid if they don’t do it first.”
The housing legislation, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. Among its provisions are restrictions on institutional investors purchasing certain single-family homes, efforts to reduce housing costs, expanded opportunities for smaller banks to provide mortgages and the removal of some regulatory barriers to homeownership.
Warren criticized Trump’s decision to halt the signing ceremony.
“He could be over here trying to claim a victory lap, and instead he’s saying, ‘No, no.’ He doesn’t want anything to do with it,” she told CNBC.
Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and one of the bill’s leading Republican backers, expressed frustration with the president’s decision.
“He gave a State of the Union speech that indicated this was a top priority for him,” Hill said. “So, we’ve delivered on one of his top priorities.”
The legislation has not yet been formally signed by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley, meaning it has not officially reached Trump’s desk. Once presented, a bill generally becomes law if not signed or vetoed within ten days while Congress remains in session.
Meanwhile, Trump is increasing pressure on Senate Republicans to advance the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and implement other election-related reforms.
Speaker Johnson said House Republicans have already passed the legislation three times and plan to include it in a future reconciliation package to force Senate consideration.
Trump is expected to meet with Republican senators later Wednesday to discuss the bill. Sen. Rick Scott of Florida invited the president to a Capitol Hill lunch focused on election legislation, despite Senate Majority Leader John Thune repeatedly stating there is currently no clear path for the measure to overcome Senate procedural hurdles.
The dispute has added to broader tensions between the White House and Senate Republicans over legislative priorities, including stalled efforts to reauthorize key foreign intelligence surveillance authorities and confirm several administration nominees.