Bipartisan lawmakers celebrate housing bill becoming law despite Trump's refusal to sign
WASHINGTON, DC: Lawmakers from both parties celebrated the bipartisan housing bill becoming law on Saturday, July 11, despite President Donald Trump refusing to sign the measure.
Trump refused to sign the housing bill because the Senate had not taken up the Save America Act.
The bill, which passed in the Senate 85-5 and in the House 358-32, both veto-proof majorities, last month, became law on Saturday without the president’s signature.
The American Dream of homeownership is now closer to reality for families across South Carolina and the nation. My 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially law, helping make homeownership more attainable for this generation and those to come! https://t.co/pdsjr94cMH
— Senator Tim Scott (@SenatorTimScott) July 11, 2026
Lawmakers hail Housing Act as 'American Dream' boost
Senate Banking Committee Chairman Sen Tim Scott led efforts in crafting the housing bill and said in a statement on Saturday that the law puts the "American Dream" in closer reach.
"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will help more Americans plant roots, build stability, and pass opportunity to the next generation," he wrote.
Republican Sen Mike Rounds of South Dakota praised the bill's bipartisan support.
"A good example of what we can accomplish when we work together," he wrote in a statement on X.
Today the 21st Century ROAD to Housing becomes law, marking the most comprehensive housing legislation in decades. This legislation has provisions that take real strides toward cutting red tape and modernizing existing programs, making the American dream of homeownership a…
— Senator Mike Rounds (@SenatorRounds) July 11, 2026
"Donald Trump couldn’t pick up the pen because he just isn’t interested in lowering costs for American families," Sen Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee said in a statement.
Woo-hoo!
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 11, 2026
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially law and will help make housing more affordable.
Donald Trump refused to sign it—but it automatically went into effect while he was sleeping last night.
Today is a huge win for working people.
Sen Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev, called Trump's delays in signing the housing bill "childish," and touted the law's benefits for Americans.
After days of Trump’s childish delays, the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is finally law!
— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) July 11, 2026
This legislation is going to lower housing costs, build more homes, and ensure working families can afford to keep a roof over their heads. I couldn’t be prouder to have… pic.twitter.com/2kJgvZVboW
"This legislation is going to lower housing costs, build more homes, and ensure working families can afford to keep a roof over their heads," she said in an X post.
How bill became law without Trump's sign
Since the president did not sign or veto the housing bill following the 10-day window after Congress presented it to him, it became a law automatically at midnight Saturday.
If the president takes no action on a passed bill within 10 days (excluding Sundays) while Congress is actively in session, the bill automatically becomes law.
If Congress adjourns before the 10 days are up, the bill dies via a 'pocket veto'.
President Trump said he refused to sign the housing bill because the Senate had not taken up the Save America Act, a separate elections bill that would require photo identification at polling places and proof of citizenship to register to vote.
The legislation has been rejected by Democrats and would need 60 votes to pass the Senate.
In a post on social media on Friday, Trump said he would not sign "in PROTEST" over the Senate's inability to pass the voting bill.
