June 24, 2026
President Trump just blindsided the entire Republican Party.
He was supposed to sign a massive bipartisan affordable housing bill this afternoon, and Republicans on the Hill were taking a victory lap.
But literally as those House leaders were talking to the press, bragging that “this is what legislating looks like,” Trump posted this to his social media page, dashing their hopes and saying he canceled the signing of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act.
Why? Because he wants Congress to first pass his SAVE America voting bill. He said he sees that as a national emergency.
The fact is, the SAVE America Act, which would change the way all of us vote in this country and would severely restrict mail-in voting, does not have enough votes from Republicans in the United States Senate to pass. But Trump has not wanted to hear that for months. So he has been threatening to withhold his signature on key pieces of legislation until Republicans cave to his demands.
Trump has also said that if Republicans can’t get the 60 votes necessary to pass the SAVE America Act, then they should change the rules and kill the Senate filibuster. So far, he has not been successful on either of those demands.
But why hold this huge bipartisan affordable housing bill hostage, which Republicans and Democrats were hoping to campaign on amidst the affordability crisis?
Well, that’s the confusing part about this move. Polling shows American voters are extremely concerned about affordability, and they believe Congress hasn’t done anything to help.
President Trump himself and his administration had been on board with this housing bill. In fact, just yesterday, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it “one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history.” And this was another example of “promises made, promises kept.”
Except it’s not promises kept until Trump actually signs it, which he, as of this morning, said he wouldn’t do without the SAVE America Act.
This morning, he also tried to paint this affordable housing bill in a negative light, saying the “Elizabeth Warren-centric housing bill” is “of minor importance.”
Well, that doesn’t make sense given Trump’s previous support of the bill and what the press secretary just said about it yesterday.
As for the Elizabeth Warren tie, it’s true she was the co-sponsor of the bill. But you know who else is a co-sponsor and champion of this bill? Trump ally, Republican Senator Tim Scott.
In fact, just this morning, Scott posted this graphic to his own social media page saying because of this bill, the keys to the American dream are within reach.
It’s unclear what’s going to come next. But it’s very unlikely the Senate is going to pass the SAVE America Act in its current form, and it’s even less likely that Senate Republicans will kill the filibuster.
Most Republicans believe the president will eventually sign this 21st Century Road to Housing Act. It’s just unclear when.
Lastly, if you don’t know what’s in that housing bill, I did a whole video about it yesterday. It’s the video right before this one.
GOP press conference here.
Press Secretary’s post here.
Sen. Tim Scott post here.
