ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday, June 24, President Donald Trump announced on social media that he would refuse to sign a bipartisan Congressional housing bill until Congress passes his authoritarian elections bill, which would disenfranchise millions of voters. Minnesota’s Senator Tina Smith and Senator Amy Klobuchar were instrumental in the housing bill, the 21st Century ROAD Act’s passage, which would reinvigorate the fight against the nationwide housing crisis.
“Instead of signing a bipartisan, generational housing bill that will build scores of homes and lower housing costs, President Trump is holding it hostage as part of his ongoing crusade to disenfranchise millions of voters,” said House Housing Finance and Policy Co-Chair Mike Howard (DFL-Richfield). “The President is making it crystal clear: he couldn’t care less about the rising costs that are pushing so many Americans to the brink. This Republican-led Congress has done nothing to make the lives of regular Americans more affordable, but let’s give credit where credit is due. The 21st Century ROADS Act is bipartisan achievement that will build scores of new homes, reduce costs, and create more opportunities for families to buy a home they can afford. It is beyond mystifying that our President would snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by refusing to sign this bill. This should be a no-brainer — sign the bill and make housing more affordable for American families.”
“The 21st Century ROADS Act would boost new housing supply, preserve affordable housing, and cut red tape for affordable housing providers. President Trump’s rejection of a bipartisan, noncontroversial bill would be absurd if we weren’t well acquainted with his petty, egotistical style of politics,” said Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention Chair Lindsey Port (DFL-Burnsville). “I am proud to serve on the most bipartisan committee in the Minnesota Legislature, and I applaud Congress’s action to address the nationwide housing crisis. I urge members of Congress to use any methods in their power to pass this commonsense bill in spite of President Trump’s dangerous games.”
###