Jun 25, 2026
President Donald Trump has infuriated Republican and Democrat lawmakers alike by literally refusing to sign off on their bipartisan housing bill until they pass the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act would directly impact, and potentially benefit, Trump and his party in this year’s midterms. The law would limit mail-in voting and require voters to provide proof of citizenship — documentation that more than 21 million Americans lack — at the polls.
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It’s been held up in a filibuster for months. In response to that stalemate, Trump is holding up the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This landmark legislation, which cleared Congress this week, aims to increase housing supply and affordability amid a national housing crisis.
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Trump abruptly cancelled the signing ceremony for the bill just before it was to take place on Wednesday, announcing his decision on Truth Social:
“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.”
As USA Today reports, this eleventh-hour announcement made things awkward for Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who the night before trumpeted on X that the bill was “another promise made, promise kept” by the President.
The move frustrated lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. House Representatives passed the bill 358 to 32 on Tuesday. Senators passed it 85 to 5 on Monday.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) said Trump was “slapping hardworking American families in the face” by refusing to sign the bill. Meanwhile, Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana) said he’d be sad if Trump vetoed the bill.
“You’d see a grown man cry,” he said.
Can Trump kill the housing bill?
As long as Congress remains in session for 10 days, the housing bill can still become law, even without Trump’s signature. It can become law even if Trump vetoes it.
That’s because the bill passed with more than two-thirds majority vote in both chambers, making it veto-proof, according to the Constitution. Again, that’s as long as Congress remains in session for 10 days.
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However, if Congress adjourns and Trump still refuses to sign it, it triggers what is called a pocket veto, and the bill dies.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom railed against Trump’s ploy on X, writing:
“Wow. Donald Trump is holding affordable housing hostage until Congress passes his voter suppression bill. He is literally delaying help for families struggling to afford a home in order to make it harder for married women and Black Americans to vote.”
It’s not the only legislation Trump is holding up in a bid to get the SAVE America Act passed. He’s doing the same thing with a refusal to support a renewal of a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the U.S. to spy on people in foreign countries without a warrant.
The difference in that case is that Democrats and Republicans are divided on that legislation. In the case of the housing legislation, they are united.
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Laura Boast is an Associate Editor with Moneywise.com and a lifelong content creator who has reached international audiences at Discovery, CBC, Blue Ant Media, Bond Brand Loyalty and more.
