The Senate remains in a state of turmoil as President Donald Trump's last-minute declaration that he will not sign a massive housing package into law has left lawmakers reeling. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Package was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers, but Trump's refusal to sign it into law unless Republicans pass the SAVE America Act has sparked outrage among lawmakers.
Trump's sudden decision has frustrated Senate Republicans, who are already struggling to move forward with his agenda. Many are questioning Trump's motives and accusing him of handing Democrats a victory. "There is a huge group of people who really appreciate what the president's doing right now, and it's the Democratic Party," said one Republican senator. "We've got to get our act together and stop surprising people and start having working messages."
Senator Elizabeth Warren, a key architect of the housing package, was furious that Trump refused to sign the bill into law. "We have a bill that Republicans and Democrats have built. It is good for urban America, rural America, first-time homebuyers, renters, seniors, families that are expanding," Warren said. "It's a bill about doing good things. And Donald Trump says he just doesn't care."
Before torpedoing the housing package, Trump had already earned the frustration of Republicans with his decision to derail the process of reauthorizing the nation's key counter-terrorism tool and his push for an "anti-weaponization" fund that nearly blew up a $70 billion immigration enforcement package. The GOP is hungry for a stream of wins to push on the campaign trail, but they are currently mired in debate over whether they can pass the SAVE America Act.
Senator John Cornyn described the situation as "inexplicable" and questioned whether Trump would be any more successful in generating the votes to pass the legislation. "At some point, we got to deal with reality," Cornyn said. Senator John Kennedy, who worked on the housing package, agreed that Republicans should try to pass the SAVE America Act, but acknowledged that the votes currently aren't there to pass it.
As the Senate continues to grapple with Trump's demands, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to move forward with the housing package or other key legislation. With midterm elections approaching and several incumbent Republicans running in tight races, the pressure is on for the GOP to deliver wins to their base.
