Trump Cancels Housing Bill
President Trump Abruptly Cancels Housing Bill Signing, Blindsiding Republicans
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President Trump abruptly cancelled a scheduled signing ceremony for a major bipartisan housing bill on June 24, blindsiding Republican leaders just 90 minutes before the noon event. Trump posted on Truth Social that the ceremony was "hereby cancelled" until the Senate first passes a separate voting-rights bill, leaving Statuary Hall empty except for workers removing chairs AP News.
The bill, called the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, had just passed both chambers by overwhelming margins — 85–5 in the Senate and 358–32 in the House AP News. Trump's own press secretary had promoted it as "the most significant housing affordability legislation in American history" just hours before he spiked it.
Trump Uses Housing Bill as Leverage for Voting Law
At 10:30 a.m. EDT, Trump posted that he would not sign the housing bill until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act. That bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote. Trump called it a "National Emergency" Forbes. He also dismissed the housing bill as "of minor importance" and labeled it "The Elizabeth 'Pocahontas' Warren centric housing bill" — a sharp reversal from his prior public support.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters he was "blindsided" by the cancellation AP News. He added that the Senate does not have the "arithmetic" to pass the SAVE America Act, which requires 60 votes to clear a filibuster. Democrats and some Republicans have blocked the voting bill for months Axios.
What the Housing Bill Would Have Done
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the biggest federal housing overhaul since the early 1990s TIME. It would ban any entity from owning more than 350 single-family homes. It would lift a public housing preservation cap by 100,000 units. It also raises a bank investment cap from 15% to 20%, which would unlock billions in private funding for affordable housing.
The bill also creates a $1 billion Innovation Fund — $200 million per year over five years — for cities that successfully add housing supply LAist. Changes to manufactured housing rules could save buyers between $5,000 and $10,000 per unit. The bill targeted record-low first-time homebuyer participation, which hit just 21% in 2025.
Bipartisan Sponsors React With Anger and Disappointment
Sen. Tim Scott, a Republican co-sponsor, had previously called the bill "nonpartisan common sense" CNBC. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic co-sponsor Trump mocked by name, said he showed "complete indifference to the cost squeeze on American families." Republican House sponsors had planned to use the bill as a centerpiece of their 2026 midterm campaign.
Sen. Bob Duff called the move "shameful" and accused Trump of "playing games with our elections" while families struggle with rent States Newsroom. The Cato Institute, though critical of the bill's investor ban as a "dangerous precedent," had supported its regulatory rollbacks — showing how broad the original coalition behind the bill had been.
A 10-Day Clock Now Ticks on the Bill's Fate
Trump has not vetoed the bill. Under the Constitution, he has 10 days — excluding Sundays — to sign or veto it. If he does nothing while Congress stays in session, it automatically becomes law Washington Post. But if Congress adjourns before that deadline, Trump can let the bill die quietly through a "pocket veto," with no override possible.
Real estate analysts at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods warned that the delay already creates uncertainty for developers who were counting on the bill's streamlined environmental review process TIME. Every day without a signature stalls the Innovation Fund and delays the manufactured housing rule changes that could bring down costs for buyers.
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