IL Dems blast Trump refusal to sign housing bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Illinois U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth says President Donald Trump is holding Americans’ access to housing hostage by not signing recently-passed legislation, but an Illinois congresswoman stands behind the president’s demand that senators pass a voter ID bill first.

Trump cancelled a bill-signing event last Wednesday and said he would not sign the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Law until the Senate approves the Save America Act that cleared the House in February.

Duckworth, D-Illinois, said the Save America Act would disenfranchise voters.

“He’s holding Americans’ access to housing hostage so that he can ensure that he can steal another election. Shame on you, Donald Trump,” Duckworth said in a video posted on social media.

U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Illinois, supports the bill that requires people to present a valid ID when voting in federal elections and proof of citizenship when registering to vote.

“Noncitizens have been identified on voter rolls, and they are voting in our elections,” Miller said during a press conference with House Republicans.

Miller called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, to get the Save America Act passed.

“Republican senators must stop hiding behind arcane Senate procedure. The American people are demanding action. They voted for secure borders. They voted for election integrity, and they voted to put the American citizen first,” Miller said during a press conference with House Republicans last week.

In May, Miller said in a social media post that she voted to pass the housing legislation “because young families deserve the chance to own a home and achieve the American Dream.”

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, D-Illinois, said the housing bill was years in the making and had overwhelming majorities in both the House and the Senate.

“Hard-working families and the dream of home ownership should not be used for political leverage, but that’s exactly what Trump is trying to do,” Foster said in a video posted on social media.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Law automatically becomes law after 10 days if the president does not sign or veto it.

Thérèse Boudreaux contributed to this story.