Trump snubs housing bill to pressure GOP

President Trump is refusing to sign a landmark bipartisan housing bill to protest Senate Republicans' failure to pass an unrelated bill that would tighten voting restrictions.

Why it matters: The president's refusal is a symbolic gesture, as the housing bill will become law at midnight — with or without Trump's signature.

What they're saying: "I will not sign the Housing Bill, which has been fully approved by Congress and sent to the White House, in PROTEST over the fact that the United States Senate is not capable of passing THE SAVE AMERICA ACT," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Friday morning.

"THE SAVE AMERICA ACT'S non-passage is CRAZY, and a serious threat to any politician who votes against it!"

Context: The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID when casting a ballot. Voting rights groups say it could disenfranchise millions of Americans.

The Brennan Center estimates that more than 21 million Americans lack easy access to the documents the bill would require to register to vote, including a REAL ID, passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID, paired with proof of U.S. birth or citizenship.

Catch up quick: Congress overwhelmingly passed the bipartisan housing package in late June to address soaring homeownership costs and bar large investors from snapping up single-family homes.

It's the most significant housing affordability legislation Congress has passed in decades, clearing the House 358-32 and the Senate 85-5.

Zoom out: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent the bill to Trump on June 29, triggering a 10-day window for the president to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without his signature.

If Trump chooses to veto the bill sometime Friday, Congress — on paper — has enough votes to override that veto.

Go deeper: Trump cancels housing affordability bill signing until SAVE Act is passed ...