Bipartisan housing bill stunt must end

This week could have and should have been a hopeful moment, a chance to applaud a significant federal housing proposal becoming law with bipartisan support in Congress and the backing of President Donald Trump.

Instead, it was yet another missed opportunity, where political dysfunction and the self-interest of the president overtook an attempt to address the nation’s very real affordability crisis.

But there is still time to get this right.

When the Senate and the House overwhelmingly passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, it was a rare, positive example of bipartisan cooperation and attention to a pressing issue affecting Americans. The stage literally was set for the bill signing — and everyone was on board.

But on Wednesday, Trump torpedoed the effort, refusing to sign the legislation until the SAVE America Act — a contentious voting requirements proposal that lacks sufficient support in Congress — was passed.

It was a disappointing, yet unsurprising, move that laid bare Trump’s choice to put his own political and electoral calculus above the nationwide need for affordable housing.

The congressional bill if enacted would be one of the first in decades to address critical housing issues. It would take steps to improve cost and supply and particularly assist high-priced areas like Long Island. It would ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes, a problem that’s increasingly evident here. The bill also would ease federal regulations on environmental reviews. Other measures would speed the building process, and establish sample zoning proposals that local officials could adopt to increase housing production. The bill also includes federal grants and other funding to reward municipalities for new housing development.

Wednesday morning, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the legislation “one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history.” Hours later, Trump said it was “of minor importance.”

Then he held it hostage.

But the bill may not be dead. The simplest solution is for Trump, who has built his share of housing, to recognize its importance and sign it.

Late Thursday, after meeting with Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson said he would be sending the bill to Trump, a move that kicks off a 10-day clock. That’s a positive step. Even if Trump doesn’t sign the bill, once 10 days pass, assuming Congress is in session, the bill becomes law, as long as the president doesn’t veto it. If Congress isn’t in session, the bill could be pocket vetoed. That must not happen.

Congress is headed into a holiday recess, but as long as it’s not a formal adjournment the bill should become law whether Trump signs it or not.

The housing bill is a clear win for everyone, from Trump and members of Congress to residents across the country, including on Long Island.

Now, Trump and Johnson must see this through. If they don’t, their failure would show that in Washington, the “road to housing” is a road to nowhere.