Trump undecided on signing bipartisan housing bill after speaker forwards it to White House

President Donald Trump said on Monday that he remains undecided about signing a bipartisan housing affordability bill, describing it as “so unimportant” compared with his push for an overhaul of federal election rules.

Speaker Mike Johnson transmitted the legislation to the White House, triggering a 10-day countdown that would allow the measure to become law without the president’s signature.

A source familiar with the situation indicated that Trump is unlikely to sign the bill but also unlikely to veto it, meaning it could take effect automatically after the countdown expires.

The president’s hesitation follows his cancellation of a signing ceremony last week, during which he said he would not approve the housing bill until the Senate acted on his “SAVE America Act” election-reform proposal.

Republican lawmakers expressed disappointment, noting that the housing bill is a centerpiece of their affordability agenda ahead of the November midterm elections. Trump argued that the bill’s bipartisan nature meant Democrats were receiving concessions he would not support.

The legislation, known as the “21st Century Road to Housing Act,” seeks to increase housing supply and includes a provision that would bar large private-equity investors from purchasing single-family homes.

Johnson said after a recent meeting with Trump that the two leaders are “exactly on the same page” and that he would forward the measure to the White House.