Lawmakers from both parties celebrated the enactment of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which became law on Saturday after President Donald Trump did not sign it. The legislation aims to address the housing shortage in the United States by increasing the supply of homes and promoting homeownership. It passed the Senate with a vote of 85-5 and the House with a vote of 358-32, both achieving veto-proof majorities last month.
Trump declined to sign the bill, citing the Senate's failure to address the Save America Act, which includes proposed voting reforms. He stated his refusal to sign was a form of protest against the Senate's inaction on this unrelated legislation. Since Trump did not sign or veto the housing bill within the 10-day window after it was presented to him, it automatically became law at midnight on Saturday.
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, led the efforts to craft the housing bill and expressed that the law brings the "American Dream" closer for many. Other Republicans, such as Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, highlighted the bipartisan nature of the bill.
In contrast, some Democrats criticized Trump for delaying the signing of the bill. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts remarked that Trump was not interested in reducing costs for American families, while Senator Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada described his inaction as "childish" and emphasized the law's potential benefits for working families. The White House has not yet commented on the situation.