Trump Cancels Housing Bill Signing, Demands Voter ID Law First

US President Donald Trump has cancelled a planned signing ceremony for bipartisan affordable housing legislation, citing his desire to push for the passage of the SAVE AMERICA ACT, a federal bill requiring voters to provide documentary proof of US citizenship and strict photo identification to vote in federal elections.

Trump announced the cancellation on Wednesday, stating that he will instead attend a closed-door lunch with Senate Republicans to lobby them to pass the voting measure. The bill’s fate is uncertain, as it can become law without presidential signature within 10 days. Lawmakers believe they have sufficient votes to overcome any potential veto.

The affordable housing bill was passed by the US House of Representatives on Tuesday in a 358-32 vote, following Senate approval on Monday with a 85-5 margin. The legislation aims to address the high cost of living in the US, which has been a top concern for voters according to public opinion polls. Key provisions include expedited environmental reviews and caps on single-family home ownership by large investors.

The move comes as the US faces an estimated shortage of millions of affordable homes, exacerbated by rising mortgage rates, home prices, and supply chain issues. A recent survey found that a majority of American consumers prefer buying a home over renting or moving in with family members.

Senate Republicans have been resisting Trump’s demands, including forcing him to abandon a $1.8 billion fund and expressing outrage over his intelligence pick. On Tuesday, Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy joined Democrats to pass legislation halting US military action against Iran.

Source: Al Jazeera