Trump Cancels Housing Bill Signing, Clashes with Republicans Over Iran War
President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a scheduled ceremony to sign a bipartisan housing affordability bill on Wednesday, instead using the occasion to demand Congress pass voting restrictions. The move came as Trump clashed with Republican senators over the Iran war during a private lunch on Capitol Hill.
The housing package, which passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support, aimed to boost housing supply and lower costs for Americans. Republicans had promoted it as a key achievement ahead of the November midterm elections. However, Trump cancelled the event hours beforehand, posting on Truth Social that he would not sign until the SAVE America Act—a bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot—was passed.
Democrats have denounced the voting measure as an assault on voting rights, while Trump claims it is necessary to protect elections. The bill has stalled in the Senate, where Republican leaders have indicated it lacks sufficient support to overcome procedural hurdles.
During a lunch with Senate Republicans, Trump pressed the issue and confronted senators who had supported a resolution directing him to end hostilities with Iran or seek congressional authorization. The resolution, which passed Tuesday with four Republicans joining Democrats, is largely symbolic but highlighted internal party divisions.
Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who lost his primary election in May and is not seeking re-election, told reporters that he challenged Trump during the meeting. “I stood and said, ‘You have not told the American people what’s going on. It was supposed to last four weeks; it’s lasted four months. Our original objectives have not been achieved and I want to know what’s going on,’” Cassidy said.
Trump, who continues to repeat the false claim that he won the 2020 election, seemed irritated after the meeting. “I don’t like a few people, but that’s okay. I think you know who they are,” he told reporters.
The housing bill, if not signed or vetoed within 10 days while Congress is in session, will become law automatically under the U.S. Constitution. Trump’s cancellation follows a similar move last week when he postponed a Senate confirmation hearing for his intelligence nominee, citing the voting bill as a priority.
