President Donald Trump on Wednesday canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill aimed at accelerating the construction of affordable housing, saying he would not proceed with signing the bill until Congress passes the Save America Act, which he has called a national emergency. The decision brought an abrupt end to a rare legislative victory that had been supported by both Republicans and Democrats, even though the bill had overwhelmingly passed both chambers of Congress.“Today’s housing press conference and signings are canceled until we pass the desperately needed Save America Act, which I consider a national emergency,” Trump said in an article published on Truth Social.
Supporters believe the measures could help alleviate a nationwide shortage of affordable housing that industry groups estimate millions of households face.
The bill was scheduled to be signed after receiving broad bipartisan support in Washington. The bill passed the Senate 85-5 on Monday and the House passed it 358-32 on Tuesday. That level of bipartisan support is becoming increasingly rare in a deeply polarized Congress.The bill seeks to address America’s housing affordability crisis by removing some regulatory barriers to residential development. Its key provisions include waiving or expediting environmental reviews for housing projects and limiting the number of existing single-family homes that large Wall Street investors can own.Supporters believe the measures could help alleviate a nationwide shortage of affordable housing that industry groups estimate millions of households face.The debate comes at a time when housing costs remain a major concern for American voters. Rising prices, rising mortgage rates and ongoing supply chain disruptions are making homeownership increasingly difficult for many families. Inflation rose sharply during Trump’s second term and continues to be one of the public’s biggest economic concerns.There are also signs of renewed interest in home ownership. A survey released Tuesday found that for the first time since 2023, more Americans said they would prefer to buy a home rather than rent or live with family.Trump’s decision leaves the future of housing legislation uncertain, despite strong bipartisan support and growing pressure to address affordability challenges across the country.
