Trump pressures congressional Republicans by delaying landmark housing bill over voter ID push
US President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he would not sign a new landmark housing bill until congressional Repulicans pass his proposed SAVE America Act to restrict voting procedures which he has been calling for for months.
By FRANCE 24
Late Tuesday, four Senate Republicans – acutely aware of the war's political headwinds in an election year – joined Democrats in rebuking Trump by adopting a resolution ordering him to either end the war or seek congressional authoriqation to continue it.
'Minor importance'
The new housing bill passed Tuesday with broad bipartisan support, including strong backing from congressional Republicans who have touted it as a key accomplishment on affordability heading into November's midterm elections.
It is aimed at boosting housing supply, easing construction rules and expanding access to home ownership as high rents, elevated mortgage costs and a shortage of homes have become major political concerns.
Trump had been supportive of the package, given that it was meant to showcase his fight to lower the cost of living against a backdrop of persistent inflation driven in part by the war.
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But on Wednesday he grumbled that it is of "minor importance" and "pales in comparison" to passing the SAVE America Act.
Scrapping the bill signing earned rebukes on Capitol Hill, with Republican Senator Susan Collins calling it "disappointing" and saying the bipartisan housing bill "addresses a major problem."
Trump's refusal to sign may be mere political signaling. Under the US Constitution, if the president does not sign a bill within 10 days while Congress is in session, and he does not veto the measure, it automatically becomes law.
Last week Trump cancelled the Senate confirmation hearing for his nominee for director of national intelligence, arguing the election bill took priority.
Supporters of the measure believe it would strengthen US election security. But even with 14 states not requiring any form of identification to cast a ballot, including California and New York, voter fraud is exceedingly rare.
Critics point out it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in US elections, and express alarm over the barriers being erected that could infringe on the voting rights of millions of Americans.
Many organisations warn that people from minority groups are the most affected by such restrictions.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)