Trump Delays Housing Bill Signing, Demands Vote on SAVE Act

Why it matters locally: The delay in signing the housing bill could impact the allocation of federal housing funds that support programs and development initiatives in Hawaii, potentially affecting housing affordability and availability across the islands.

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President Donald Trump has withheld his signature from a congressionally approved housing bill, seeking to compel lawmakers to adopt his preferred voting legislation, known as the SAVE Act. Congress passed the housing bill with majorities capable of overriding a presidential veto. However, the president has chosen not to sign it, instead using the delay to press for action on the SAVE Act. This tactic reflects a previous instance this year where President Trump similarly intervened in a bipartisan agreement. Earlier, he disrupted a deal surrounding intelligence and surveillance legislation, employing a comparable method to influence congressional decisions. Andrew Desiderio discussed these developments with Geoff Bennett.