Donald Trump abruptly shelved plans to sign a broad bipartisan bill aimed at lowering the cost of housing on Wednesday, demanding Congress first approve his controversial legislation to overhaul US election rules and regulations.
The president is pushing the Senate to approve the Save America Act, which would dramatically change voting regulations by requiring proof of citizenship at voter registration and significantly curtail mail-in voting.
In a statement on social media, Trump said: “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.”
A day earlier, the House of Representatives approved the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which is intended to lower rents and home prices by reducing federal regulations, streamlining environmental reviews, speeding up the construction process and curbing the influence of corporate landlords by limiting their ability to purchase single-family homes.
The legislation, which was passed with large majorities in the Senate and House of Representatives after months of negotiations, amounts to one of the biggest efforts in decades to increase the supply of housing and reduce prices. On Wednesday morning, however, Trump claimed it was of “minor importance”.
Quelle surprise.
Worth noting, but the Senate passed it 85-5, and the House passed it 358-32.
They don’t need Trump’s approval.
Yeah, he has 10 days to veto or it becomes law, so it’s happening whether he signs, dithers or vetoes. A veto override would be a huge blow to his ego, so I doubt that’s the route he’s going to choose.
Which is funny because not only does this make him look weak to those in the know, but it makes him look like an asshole to everyone else.
Not surprising from the “I love inflation” guy, but not at least appearing to be trying to help make housing affordable is probably not a winning midterm strategy.
Dudes cooked.
“Hey we’re trying to keep housing and residential construction bubble inflated untill at least after the mid terms, under the thin auspices of lowering prices”
“ let me rig elections harder or I won’t let you.”
Truly. Masterful political maneuvering on all sides.
