Politics

Trump Refused to Sign the Housing Bill Until Congress Passes His Immigration Act

By Mike Harper · June 25, 2026

On Tuesday, the Senate passed the biggest housing bill in 35 years with an 85-5 vote. On Wednesday, Trump canceled the signing ceremony.

The White House announced Wednesday that President Trump will not sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act — the bipartisan bill that bans corporate investors from buying single-family homes — until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, his priority immigration enforcement legislation. Trump called immigration a “national emergency” that must be addressed before any other legislation moves forward.

The housing bill passed the Senate 85-5. Only five senators voted against it. The bill would prohibit any investor owning 350 or more homes from purchasing additional single-family properties, expand FHA mortgage limits, and fund the conversion of vacant commercial buildings into affordable housing. It was the rare piece of legislation that had both Elizabeth Warren and Tim Scott’s names on it.

None of that mattered.

Trump’s decision to hold the housing bill effectively creates a legislative hostage situation — a popular, bipartisan bill that addresses one of the top concerns of American households cannot become law until Congress delivers on a separate and far more contentious immigration priority. The SAVE America Act, which would expand immigration enforcement mechanisms and voter verification requirements, does not have bipartisan support.

The timing is pointed. The housing bill was written specifically for suburban homeowners competing against Blackstone and Invitation Homes for houses in their own neighborhoods. Those are the voters both parties need in November. Telling them the bill they’ve been waiting for is contingent on an immigration fight they didn’t ask for is a gamble.

Senator Warren responded within hours.

“Families have waited years for Congress to stand up to Wall Street landlords. The president just told them to keep waiting.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson said the SAVE America Act would move “in the coming weeks” but did not commit to a timeline. The housing bill, which had been expected to reach Trump’s desk by Friday, is now indefinitely stalled.

For the 45+ homeowners and first-time buyers who saw the 85-5 vote as a signal that Washington was finally acting on housing — the signal just changed.