July 11

Source: cdnph.upi.com

A significant housing bill passed by Congress became law at midnight on Saturday when President Donald Trump refused to sign it, but didn’t veto it. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a comprehensive law designed to make housing more affordable and increase housing supply.

The bill includes several measures aimed at modernizing building standards, encouraging the renovation of older homes, and promoting the construction of more housing through funding and grant programs. Additionally, it encourages local governments to reform restrictive zoning policies and effectively bans private equity from buying up single-family homes. Critics of the bill argue that it doesn’t go far enough, but they acknowledge it as a good first step.

President Trump had previously announced that he would not sign the bill, citing his desire for Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill that would require individuals registering to vote to provide proof of U.S. citizenship. However, Congress lacks the necessary votes to pass the SAVE Act.

On Friday, Trump reiterated his refusal to sign the ROAD to Housing bill, stating on Truth Social that he would not do so in protest of the Senate’s inability to pass the SAVE America Act. ‘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,’ he said.

Despite the President’s refusal to sign the bill, it has still become law. Critics of the bill, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, have praised its passage, acknowledging it as a significant milestone in addressing the country’s housing affordability issues. The Senator noted that the bill becoming law is ‘a genuine milestone — and I don’t use that word lightly.’ She also pointed out that a recent Bipartisan Policy Center survey found that 89% of voters wanted congressional action to make housing more affordable.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson defended the bill without criticizing Trump’s comments. He stated that the President has a lot on his plate and may not have had the time to thoroughly review the legislation. Johnson also emphasized that the bill’s passage is a significant achievement, even if Trump does not sign it.

As the bill becomes law, it marks a significant step forward in addressing the country’s housing affordability crisis. The bill’s provisions are aimed at making housing more affordable and increasing housing supply, and its passage is seen as a positive development for those affected by the crisis.

With the bill now law, attention is turning to the next steps in addressing the country’s housing affordability issues. The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a significant milestone, and it remains to be seen how it will be implemented and what impact it will have on the country’s housing market.