Housing Bill Becomes Law Without Trump Signature After 10-Day Window

Housing costs rank among the top concerns for American voters, and a major federal response took effect at midnight Saturday when the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law without President Donald Trump’s signature. The legislation, the largest federal overhaul of housing policy in decades, passed Congress last month and cleared the constitutional 10-day period for action after the House transmitted it to the White House on June 29.

Trump declined to sign or veto the measure, citing his demand that the Senate first pass the SAVE America Act. That separate bill would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections, impose voter ID rules, restrict mail-in voting, and bar men from competing in women’s sports. Trump posted on Truth Social that he would withhold his signature “in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.” The SAVE America Act has cleared the House but lacks the 60 votes needed to advance in the Senate.

The housing legislation cleared the House 390-9 and the Senate 89-10. It contains more than 45 provisions intended to increase supply and reduce costs. These include streamlined environmental reviews for new construction, relaxed rules for factory-built homes, an innovation fund for communities that expand zoning, a pilot program to convert vacant commercial buildings into housing, and limits on institutional investors purchasing existing single-family homes. The investor restrictions apply only to existing stock, leaving incentives intact for new development.

Trump had canceled a planned signing ceremony in June and described the housing measure as “so unimportant” and “a big yawn” compared with the election bill. He also questioned the investor provision, telling reporters he did not want to hurt people who own homes. House Speaker Mike Johnson said the president had “a lot going on” and had not read every line, while adding that Republicans would still celebrate the law’s results.

Democratic leaders criticized the refusal to sign. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the bill’s lead Senate proponent, said Trump “couldn’t pick up the pen because he just isn’t interested in lowering costs for American families.” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued similar statements linking the episode to higher costs and election-related priorities. Trump has separately removed the remaining commissioners from an independent election-assistance body.

The law takes effect nationwide and is projected to affect buyers, renters, builders, and local zoning decisions. Senate Republican leaders have stated that the SAVE America Act does not currently have the votes to overcome a filibuster.