Trump Refuses--Again--To Sign Housing Bill; Measure Still Set To Become Law
By CU Today Staff —
WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump said Friday he will not sign the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, but the measure is still expected to become law automatically at midnight Friday into Saturday after the 10-day constitutional review period expires without a presidential signature, according to POLITICO.
The president said he was withholding his signature to protest the Senate's failure to pass his preferred election measure, the SAVE America Act.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he would not sign the housing legislation "in PROTEST" over Senate inaction on the election bill, while criticizing fellow Republicans for failing to advance the measure, POLITICO reported. Trump stopped short of threatening a veto, a distinction that allows the housing package to take effect automatically once the review period expires.
The development follows earlier CUToday.info reporting that House Speaker Mike Johnson formally transmitted the legislation to the White House last week, beginning the 10-day review period. At the time, credit union advocates noted the legislation contains provisions intended to expand housing supply, streamline development and improve affordability—issues closely watched by the movement because of their impact on mortgage lending and homeownership.
According to POLITICO, Johnson, House Republican leaders and White House officials spent the past 10 days attempting to persuade Trump not to veto the measure, while House GOP leadership also told the administration they believed Congress had sufficient votes to override any veto.
Jason Stverak, the Defense Credit Union Council's chief advocacy officer, said that even if President Trump declines to sign the bill, allowing it to become law without his signature, the legislation still represents a significant win for credit unions and their members.
"We're pleased the bill includes many provisions that will expand access to housing for millions of credit union members across the country, including the active-duty military, veterans and military families our member credit unions serve," Steverak said.
He added that DCUC is especially grateful the legislation includes the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, which is intended to make it easier for credit unions to recruit qualified volunteer board members and simplify board governance.
"We've said repeatedly—on this and many other issues—that it's time for Congress to take a serious look at addressing the challenges facing credit unions, just as it has done for banks through multiple pieces of legislation, including this bill," Steverak said.
Originally reported by CU Today.