President Donald Trump has canceled plans to sign a bipartisan housing bill, citing the need for a voter ID measure to pass first. The decision has created tension with Senate Republicans, who had hoped to use the housing bill as a selling point for voters ahead of the November midterm elections.
Voter ID Measure
Trump has been pushing for a bill that would mandate stricter rules for voter identification in federal elections. The bill, known as the SAVE America Act, would create new requirements for voters to prove citizenship and show voter ID at the polls. Trump has also demanded that the bill include a ban on mail-in ballots and unrelated provisions to block sex reassignment surgeries on some minors and prevent people born as men from playing in women’s sports.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed concerns about the bill, stating that there aren’t enough votes to pass it. Thune has said that the bill is not realistic and that Trump’s demands are not feasible. Despite this, Trump has continued to push for the bill, saying that it is a national emergency.
Reaction from Senate Republicans
Senate Republicans have reacted with frustration to Trump’s decision. Some have expressed concerns that the move will hurt their chances in the midterm elections. Texas Sen. John Cornyn said that the party needs to focus on unity and not disagreements. North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said that he hopes the meeting with Trump will be conciliatory and that the party can find a way to move forward.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
