Congress Passes Major Housing Bill with Veto-Proof Margins

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act became U.S. federal law at 12:01 a.m. Saturday without President Trump's signature. President Trump said Friday he would not sign the measure. He linked the decision to the Senate's failure to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require photo identification to vote and proof of citizenship to register.

The bill cleared the House by a 358-32 vote and the Senate by an 85-5 margin. Both tallies exceed the two-thirds threshold needed to override a veto. Trump canceled a planned signing ceremony in June over the same demand.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said last month there is not enough support in the Republican caucus to eliminate the filibuster and advance the SAVE America Act. The National Association of Realtors reported that the median price of an existing home sold in June reached $440,600, up 1.8 percent from a year earlier.

The New York Times reported that Trump's announcement reflects a rift between him and Senate Republicans.