'It's a yawn': Trump downplays bipartisan landmark housing bill
President Donald Trump downplayed the importance of a bipartisan housing bill that he abruptly placed into limbo last week after demanding that his signature election reform law be sent to his desk alongside it.
The president dismissed the housing legislation as a "yawn," arguing it was less impactful than his SAVE America Act, which would significantly retool federal elections in the months leading up to the midterm elections -- including implementing new restrictions on voter registration and mail-in ballots.
The bill has been rejected by Democrats who say that it would disenfranchise voters without access to the required documents.
"I made a lot of money with housing, but when I look at that bill, it's a bill. But when I look at the SAVE America Act, it's about saving America," Trump said.
"It's a yawn. Some people say it's wonderful. To me, compared to the SAVE America Act, just about everything is a big yawn," he added.
The legislation primarily aims to address the U.S. housing shortage by increasing supply and carving out new pathways to ownership. The president was initially set to sign the bill last Wednesday, but unexpectedly called off the ceremony, opting instead to use the legislation as leverage to force passage of the SAVE America Act.
But pressed on Monday about whether he would ultimately sign the housing bill, Trump wavered, saying it had not yet been sent to him and he would decide later.
"It hasn't been sent to me yet. It's coming, I understand," the president said, adding that he would make a determination once he's received the bill.
Speaker Mike Johnson officially sent the housing bill to Trump earlier Monday, a source familiar told ABC News.
Once Trump receives the bill from Congress, the president has 10 days to veto the legislation, or it will become law automatically. But if Congress were to adjourn before the 10-day period is up, it could fall victim to a pocket veto.
While the bill passed with veto-proof majorities, it's unclear what might happen if Trump sends it back to Congress.
Trump noted that he wanted to see the SAVE America Act tacked onto the housing bill, but conceded that it may not happen.
"And I'd like to have the Save America Act added on. And that's probably not going to happen because we have four Republican senators, maybe five, that just won't vote for it," he said. "It's crazy."
