Trump Blocks Bipartisan Housing Supply Bill, Demanding Voting Law First

Although a bill aimed at easing the U.S. housing shortage by promoting large-scale housing supply has passed both the Senate and the House of Representatives, its enactment has become uncertain for the time being as President Donald Trump put his signature on hold on June 24, local time.

While Republicans and Democrats had rare bipartisan cooperation to pass the bill to ease housing cost burdens ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November, tension between President Trump and Republican lawmakers is rising as Trump linked the legislation to the "voter ID bill" currently pending in the Senate.

President Trump was scheduled to hold a signing ceremony for the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act," which had previously passed both chambers of Congress, at the Capitol on the afternoon of June 24, but he canceled the event.

On Truth Social, Trump wrote, "The housing-related press conference and signing ceremony is canceled until such time as we pass the desperately needed 'SAVE America Act' (Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act), which I consider to be a national emergency."

The SAVE Act, also known as the "voter ID law," requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote and significantly restricts mail-in voting.

Trump also argued that the housing supply bill is less important compared to the SAVE Act or interest rate cuts.

Trump, who has long claimed that Democrats have exploited the existing voting system to commit "voter fraud," maintains that the SAVE Act is necessary for a Republican victory in the midterm elections.

Although the bill passed the House of Representatives and is currently pending in the Senate, its chances of passage are slim due to opposition from Democrats.

Trump has been pressuring Republicans to pass the SAVE Act, even if it means forcibly ending the Democrats' filibuster.

The housing supply bill, which cleared Congress the previous day, is a package bill that consolidates various proposals introduced by lawmakers from both parties to boost housing supply and reduce housing costs.

To stimulate housing construction, the bill eases regulations such as environmental impact assessments and grants local governments the authority to expedite reviews of housing construction.

It also restricts corporations owning more than 350 single-family homes from purchasing additional properties.

Earlier, the Senate passed the bill on June 22 by a vote of 85 to 5, and the House passed it the following day, June 23, by a vote of 358 to 32.

The passage of the bill is seen as a result of aligned interests between both parties, who recognized the need to ease the housing cost burden for voters ahead of the midterm elections.

For the ruling Republican Party, a policy achievement was needed to make up for President Trump's declining approval ratings, which have been dragged down by economic issues such as inflation.

Democrats also appear to have supported the bill as it strengthens regulations on large property owners and eases the housing burden on middle- and low-income families.

Although President Trump canceled the signing ceremony, he went ahead with a scheduled closed-door meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol.

During the meeting, Trump reportedly expressed strong dissatisfaction over the Senate's passage of a resolution the previous day to limit his war powers regarding a conflict with Iran, CNN reported.

Trump reportedly engaged in a heated argument with Senator Bill Cassidy regarding the conflict with Iran, with voices raised during the exchange.

When Trump asked, "Who on earth votes for a resolution like this?" Cassidy reportedly pushed back, emphasizing the public's right to know by saying, "A military operation that was originally supposed to last four weeks has gone on for four months."

Cassidy had voted in favor of the resolution the previous day.

With four Republicans, including Cassidy, breaking ranks, the resolution passed by a vote of 50 to 48.

After the meeting, Trump told reporters it was a "really great meeting" and called the Republican Party "a very unified party."

He added, "I like everybody in the room," but noted, "There are a couple I don't like, but that's okay. You know who they are," indirectly acknowledging internal party divisions.

Trump's decision to hold off on signing the housing bill has further highlighted the rift between him and Republican leadership.

The two sides have repeatedly clashed over key issues, including the resolution limiting war powers with Iran and internal party pushback over the Justice Department's proposed "Crime Victims Fund."

Senate Republican Leader John Thune said, "This is a great bill to increase housing supply and expand lending opportunities so people can buy homes," adding, "I hope President Trump will ultimately find a way to sign it."

Senate Republican leadership maintains that it is difficult to pass the SAVE Act if it requires dismantling the filibuster, which is a symbol of bipartisan cooperation and a long-standing congressional tradition.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat and one of the co-sponsors of the housing supply bill, criticized Trump's cancellation of the signing ceremony, saying, "Even though we reached the finish line, President Trump refused to sign like a petulant child."

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.