Trump Yields on Housing Bill as SAVE Act Stalls in Senate

Midterm control of Congress hinges in part on whether Republicans can deliver on voter identification rules before November. The housing measure that would speed construction of affordable units advanced this week even as the linked SAVE America Act remained blocked.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Thursday he would send the housing legislation to the White House after meeting with President Trump. Trump had canceled a signing ceremony the previous day. The bill had cleared the House in February. Johnson told reporters the president wants to end internal blockades so other work can proceed.

The SAVE America Act requires photo identification for federal elections, proof of citizenship for registration, and sharing of state voter rolls with the federal government. It passed the House but has not cleared the Senate despite five attempts since March. Senator John Thune and other Republicans have said they lack the votes even for a rules change that would bypass the parliamentarian.

Two district courts issued rulings against related executive actions. A Washington court blocked expansion of the SAVE database used to check voter files for noncitizens. A Boston court halted one order on citizenship verification at registration. The administration plans appeals.

Representative Anna Paulina Luna kept the House floor closed until the Senate acts on the measure. Democrats argue the bill targets a problem that occurs in very small numbers and could hinder citizens without ready access to required documents. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the president remains committed to uniform photo ID standards and an end to no-excuse mail voting.

Trump posted repeatedly that the SAVE America Act must pass. Some Republicans have discussed attaching it to a budget reconciliation package that needs only 51 votes. Senate leaders have not embraced that route.