Trump said on Friday that he would not sign a bipartisan housing affordability bill, setting up a fresh political clash with Congress over one of the most visible cost-of-living issues in the US.

The president said in a social media post that he was withholding his signature “in PROTEST” over the Senate’s failure to pass the SAVE America Act.

The housing bill, meanwhile, is expected to become law on Saturday even without Trump’s approval if he neither signs nor vetoes it within the required window.

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A rare accord, against the odds

The legislation is a rare bipartisan measure at a time of deep partisan division. It includes provisions to speed up environmental reviews for housing projects and to limit the number of already constructed single-family homes that large Wall Street investors can own.

Trump had previously dismissed the bill as “a big yawn” while pressing Republicans and Senate leaders to prioritize the SAVE America Act instead.

That measure would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and create a national voter database using state records.

The cost of living takes centre stage

Housing affordability is a central voter concern. The bill gave both parties an opportunity to claim they were acting on the high cost of living ahead of the November midterm elections.

But Trump’s refusal to sign it could undercut Republican efforts to present themselves as focused on affordability, especially as Democrats continue to attack the president over tariffs that have raised consumer and agricultural input costs, as well as other policy decisions they argue have increased household expenses.

What happens if Trump refuses to sign?

The dispute also reflects Trump’s broader confrontation with Congress over voting rules and election administration.

He abruptly canceled a June 24 signing ceremony for the housing bill to pressure Republicans to advance the SAVE America Act first.

House Speaker Mike Johnson later said he would send the housing bill to Trump. The measure still had a path to becoming law without the president’s signature.

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FAQs

Q1: Why is Trump refusing to sign the bipartisan housing bill?

Trump said he is withholding his signature in protest over the Senate’s failure to pass the SAVE America Act.

Q2: Can the housing bill become law without Trump’s signature?

Yes, under U.S. law, the bill can become law if the president neither signs nor vetoes it within the required time period.