21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becomes Law Without Trump Signature

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially became law on Saturday, July 8, 2023, after President Donald Trump opted not to sign or veto the legislation before the midnight deadline. This bipartisan bill, designed to streamline regulations and make homeownership more accessible, passed both the Senate with an 85-5 vote on June 22 and the House of Representatives with a 358-32 vote on June 23. President Trump's decision not to act on the bill was a protest against the Senate's failure to pass the separate SAVE America Act, which focuses on voter identification and registration. He had previously canceled a signing ceremony for the housing bill on June 24, calling it a "big yawn" compared to his legislative priorities.

The 10-day period for the President to act began when House Speaker Mike Johnson sent the bill back to the White House on June 29. The legislation's enactment without a signature is a rare but not unprecedented occurrence; a similar situation happened in 2016 when then-President Barack Obama allowed the Iran Sanctions Act to become law without his signature. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the first comprehensive housing package enacted in decades and consolidates provisions from over 60 different bills, many of which had bipartisan sponsorship.

Recent polling from the American Property Owners Alliance indicates strong public support for the act's objectives, with 89% of voters expressing their backing. The bill's passage is seen as a significant step towards addressing housing affordability challenges by cutting through bureaucratic hurdles. The specific provisions within the act, drawn from numerous prior legislative proposals, aim to create a more favorable environment for both prospective homebuyers and the construction industry.