President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he will not sign the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a significant piece of legislation designed to address housing affordability issues. This decision comes as a protest against the Senate's failure to pass his preferred SAVE America Act, an election-related bill.

The housing bill, which had been transmitted to the White House last week, was poised to become law automatically at midnight between Friday and Saturday if not vetoed by the president. Trump, however, clarified his stance in a morning post on Truth Social, expressing his disappointment with the Republican lawmakers' inability to advance the SAVE America Act. "I will no longer be able to call [the Democrats] Dumocrats again!” Trump stated, shifting the blame to his own party, which he claimed had let the nation down.

Despite Trump’s refusal to sign, he does not plan to veto the bill, which means it will still likely become law without his signature. This legislative move, passed by overwhelming majorities in both the Senate and the House, includes nearly 60 provisions aimed at improving housing affordability. Notably, it restricts large Wall Street investors from owning more than 350 single-family homes, a provision Trump insisted on.

The bill also introduces measures to reduce bureaucracy for community lenders, leverages federal funds to encourage more housing construction, and simplifies the process for building manufactured homes. These initiatives are seen as direct responses to the public's growing concerns over housing costs, especially as the midterm elections approach.

Efforts by House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders to persuade Trump to sign the bill were unsuccessful, despite assurances that they had the votes necessary to override a presidential veto. Trump’s decision underscores a continuing rift within the Republican Party and illustrates the complexities of legislative negotiations involving high-stakes political issues.

Lawmakers from both parties have touted the legislation as a landmark achievement in a Congressional session otherwise marked by significant gridlock. The refusal of the president to sign the bill, yet allowing it to pass, may set a precedent for how significant legislation can still become law amidst political standoffs.

*Meredith Lee Hill contributed to this report.*