Trump’s Last-Minute Resistance and Johnson’s Bipartisan Push for the Housing Bill
The bill, known as the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, passed Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support last week but faced a last-minute standoff when its signing was delayed. Johnson, however, insisted the housing measure was a priority and that the president would ultimately sign it, telling USA TODAY that the president “won’t veto the bill.”
White House Standoff: The SAVE America Act vs. Housing Legislation
Trump’s hesitation stemmed from his insistence that the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship for voter registration, was his “top priority.” During a two-hour Oval Office meeting on Monday, June 29, Johnson pushed back, arguing that the two measures could advance simultaneously. “He said he’ll think about it, and we’ll talk about it again this week,” Johnson recounted. But by Tuesday, June 30, the clock was ticking: the president has until July 8 to sign or veto the bill, after which it will automatically become law.
Trump had previously dismissed the housing bill as “a big yawn,” calling it “so unimportant” compared to the voting legislation. His abrupt cancellation of a planned signing ceremony on June 25—just hours after Congress approved the measure—further delayed its implementation. Yet Johnson’s confidence in the bill’s passage reflects a rare moment of bipartisan agreement in a deeply divided Congress.
Policy Breakdown: How the Housing Bill Addresses Affordability—and Its Limitations
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is designed to address America’s housing crisis by increasing supply, reducing barriers to construction, and expanding affordable options. Key provisions include:
- Streamlined permitting for new developments, aiming to cut red tape.
- Expanded loan limits for first-time homebuyers in high-cost areas.
- Incentives for manufactured housing, which experts say could help low-income families.
- Funding for rural housing programs and repairs to existing stock.
Yet housing researchers warn the bill’s impact will be modest at best. Yonah Freemark, a housing researcher at the Urban Institute, told TIME that while the legislation is “a step forward,” its effects will be “incremental” over the medium to long term. “I think it has the potential to reduce housing prices, but not over the short term—the next two years,” Freemark said. He cautioned that the bill alone won’t solve the core issues driving costs: stagnant wages, high mortgage rates, and a persistent shortage of new homes.
“The idea that this legislation will resolve Americans’ housing affordability problems is over-promising. We can’t rely on any individual bill to fundamentally change the housing market.”
Yonah Freemark, Urban Institute housing researcher, via TIME
GOP Infighting: How the Housing Bill Survived Despite Voting Rights Priorities
The bill’s passage was far from guaranteed. Conservative hardliners in the House had threatened to block unrelated votes unless the housing measure was prioritized. The standoff forced Johnson to cancel multiple legislative sessions, raising concerns among moderates that the GOP’s focus on voting restrictions could derail broader priorities.
The Senate remains the sticking point for the SAVE America Act, where moderate Republicans have blocked its progress. Johnson acknowledged the tension but framed the housing bill as a separate, achievable victory. “The housing bill has a lot of great policy,” he told USA TODAY. “I said, ‘You should get the biggest black marker you can, do that giant Trump signature across that, because there’s a lot to be proud of there.’”
What Happens Next: The Clock Runs Out on Trump’s Veto Threat
The president’s 10-day window to act on the housing bill expires at midnight on July 8. If he neither signs nor vetoes it, the measure will automatically become law—a process known as a “pocket veto.” Johnson’s prediction that the president will sign it by then may prove correct, but the president’s stance on the issue leaves room for surprise.
Meanwhile, the SAVE America Act remains stalled in the Senate, where its future is uncertain. With midterm elections looming, the GOP’s ability to pass major legislation hinges on whether it can unite behind a single priority. For now, the housing bill’s passage marks a rare bright spot in an otherwise contentious session—but its long-term impact on affordability remains an open question.
One thing is clear: The bill’s fate hinges on the president’s final decision. And with Johnson’s assertion that “he won’t veto the bill,” the only question left is whether the president will claim credit—or let it become law by default.
