President Trump said Thursday he will not sign a housing bill passed by Congress, tying his refusal to Senate Republicans’ failure to advance a voting measure he has pressed for months.
Trump did not issue a veto threat. Under constitutional rules, a bill unsigned by the president within ten days while Congress remains in session becomes law automatically, meaning the housing legislation could still clear his desk without his signature.
The announcement marks one of the starkest public ruptures between Trump and Senate Republicans since he returned to office. Senate leadership has not scheduled a vote on the voting-rights package the president has made a condition of his cooperation.
The housing bill, which sources told the Wail addresses federal funding for affordable-unit construction, had cleared both chambers with Republican support before Trump’s declaration clouded its path to enactment.
White House officials did not respond to questions about whether Trump would allow the bill to lapse into law or move to a formal veto if the Senate deadline approaches without action on the voting measure.
Senate Republican leadership has not publicly commented on Trump’s ultimatum. The chamber is expected to return from recess next week, when pressure to respond will intensify.