President Donald Trump said Friday that he will not sign a bipartisan housing bill in protest of Republicans’ inability to advance separate elections overhaul legislation, dealing a major political blow to vulnerable lawmakers in his own party.
The housing bill is set to become law at midnight even without Trump’s signature. But GOP leaders had originally hoped to tout the moment as a historic economic achievement ahead of midterm elections that are likely to be defined by Americans’ concerns over the cost of living.
Instead, the sweeping legislation will now advance with minimal fanfare from a president who has dismissed it as “a yawn” and “so unimportant” compared to the elections legislation, which includes voter ID and proof-of-citizenship measures.
“I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
The president again called on Senate Republicans to end the filibuster to advance the elections legislation and other Republican priorities, warning that Democrats would do the same if they regain control of the chamber.
