Trump Won't Sign Housing Bill With CBDC Ban—It Becomes Law at Midnight
In brief
- Trump won't sign 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act over SAVE America Act failure
- Bill bans Federal Reserve CBDC issuance through 2030, boosts housing construction
- Legislation becomes law automatically at midnight without Trump veto under 10-day constitutional rule
- Housing bill passed Senate 85-5 and House 358-32 with veto-proof margins
Housing Bill's Path to Law
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act previously cleared both chambers with veto-proof margins, passing the Senate 85-5 and the House 358-32. That supermajority strength means Congress can override a presidential veto if Trump formally rejects the bill. The legislation is primarily aimed at boosting U.S. housing construction by cutting regulations and limits institutional investors' ability to buy residential housing.
Trump characterized his refusal to sign as a protest over the Senate's failure to pass the SAVE America Act, a bill restricting voting rights. His announcement came via Truth Social, though a White House spokesperson declined to say whether Trump intends to veto the legislation before the midnight deadline.
The CBDC Provision
The bill prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency through the end of 2030. Crypto and privacy advocates have welcomed the CBDC ban, arguing a government-issued digital dollar could enable federal surveillance of Americans' financial transactions.
The Federal Reserve has continued researching the technology, but it has repeatedly said it would not issue a CBDC without authorization from Congress. That safeguard already exists in law—the new provision simply extends the timeline and codifies the restriction.
What Happens Next
If Trump issues a formal veto before midnight tonight, the bill would return to Congress. There, lawmakers would need a two-thirds majority in both chambers to pass it again. Given the margins already secured (85-5 in the Senate, 358-32 in the House), an override is virtually certain.
The more likely scenario: Trump allows the bill to become law without his signature, letting the Constitution do the work. That way, he registers his protest without triggering a veto that Congress will immediately overturn anyway.
