Trump declines to sign housing bill, measure becomes law automatically

A broad housing package that would expand affordable-housing financing, raise certain FHA multifamily loan limits and add protections for renters of large-investor-owned homes was set to become law automatically after Donald Trump said he would not sign it.

Trump said he would withhold his signature because Congress had not passed the SAVE America Act, a separate measure he treated as a higher priority. He also canceled a planned signing ceremony over the same dispute, turning what Republicans had hoped would be a victory lap into a public intraparty fight over housing costs and legislative priorities.

The bill, H.R. 6644, passed the Senate 85-5 on June 22, 2026, and the House 358-32 on June 23. The Senate Banking Committee released updated text on June 16 after months of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations. The final draft reflected priorities from the Senate, House and White House and was intended to cut red tape, unlock housing supply, lower costs for families, protect taxpayers and preserve local control.

Under the Constitution, if a president neither signs nor vetoes a bill, it becomes law automatically after the review period ends. Trump’s refusal to sign meant the housing package was on track to take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday without the ceremonial endorsement Republicans had wanted.

The National Association of Home Builders spent years advocating for the package and welcomed the House vote. Congressional backers called it one of the most comprehensive housing policy bills of the century. The measure addressed structural problems in the housing market, while its investor-related provisions could affect build-to-rent supply.