President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for Congress to prioritize election legislation over a bipartisan housing bill, prompting the cancellation of a White House event that had been expected to celebrate the measure.
Trump announced on Truth Social that a scheduled news conference and bill-signing ceremony for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would not move forward until Congress passes the SAVE America Act.
“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,” Trump wrote.
The announcement came one day after the House passed the housing legislation by a 358-32 vote.
The measure had already cleared the Senate with bipartisan support.
The bill is designed to increase the nation’s housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers and expand homeownership opportunities.
Among its provisions is a restriction on large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes.
The legislation also seeks to address affordability challenges driven by high home prices, elevated mortgage rates and limited housing inventory.
Earlier Wednesday, Trump criticized the housing measure, describing it as less important than election legislation.
He urged lawmakers to instead focus on the SAVE America Act, which includes provisions requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote and photo identification for voting.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he supported Trump’s decision to delay consideration of the housing measure.
Johnson told reporters he spoke with Trump before the announcement and agreed that election legislation should take priority.
“We share that,” Johnson said.
Johnson noted the House has previously approved versions of the SAVE America Act.
He said the legislation requires proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification when casting a ballot.
Johnson also expressed hope that similar election provisions could advance through the budget reconciliation process.
Trump urged Senate Republicans to pass the measure and again suggested changing Senate rules if necessary.
The president argued the legislation addresses what he considers one of the nation’s most pressing issues.
Supporters of the housing bill described it as one of the most significant federal housing reforms in decades, per the Conservative Brief.
Dennis Shea, executive vice president of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Center for Housing Policy, called congressional passage a major milestone.
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passing both chambers is a milestone not just for housing policy, but for what’s possible when Congress works together,” Shea said.
“For the families who’ve been priced out, squeezed out, or left behind by a broken housing market, this is a meaningful step — and it’s long overdue.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also praised the legislation.
“ROAD to Housing helps put our country on the right track toward fixing the housing shortage that’s driving up costs,” Schumer said.
