President Donald Trump has refused to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, even as the bill containing a provision blocking a U.S. central bank digital currency through 2031 has remained on course to become law.
Summary
- Trump has refused to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act over the Senate’s failure to pass the Save America Act.
- The housing bill is still expected to become law because the White House has confirmed Trump will not veto it.
- The legislation would bar the Federal Reserve from issuing a U.S. CBDC until 2031 if it takes effect.
According to a Truth Social post by President Trump, he decided not to sign the housing bill because the Senate has yet to pass the Save America Act, which he has repeatedly urged lawmakers to approve.
Congress passed the housing legislation last month and sent it to the White House, but Trump argued that he would withhold his signature until the voting bill advances.
Last month, crypto.news reported that Trump had already delayed signing the legislation for the same reason. At the time, he described the Save America Act as “desperately needed” and said he would not approve the housing package until Congress acted on the separate proposal.
CBDC restriction remains on track despite Trump’s decision
Although Trump has declined to sign the legislation, the housing bill is still expected to become law because he has not issued a formal veto. A White House official confirmed that the president does not intend to veto the measure, allowing it to take effect automatically after the constitutional review period expires without his signature.
For the crypto industry, one section of the legislation has attracted particular attention because it would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency until 2031.
The restriction would extend the administration’s earlier position after Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies not to take steps toward creating a U.S. CBDC.
Unlike a pocket veto, which can permanently block legislation under specific congressional timing conditions, the current situation allows the bill to become law automatically because Congress remains in session and the president has not exercised his veto authority.
Save America Act remains Trump’s priority
In his Truth Social statement, Trump argued that the Senate’s failure to pass the Save America Act is unacceptable despite what he described as overwhelming support among Republican voters. The legislation would require voters to present photo identification in federal elections, a measure the president has continued to promote as an election integrity safeguard.
Separately, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren criticized Trump’s decision in a post on X, arguing that refusing to sign the housing legislation delayed action on a bill designed to address housing affordability. Warren also stated that the legislation would become law regardless because the president had chosen not to veto it.
The latest dispute comes as lawmakers continue debating other crypto legislation on Capitol Hill. Warren has previously joined other Democratic senators in calling for hearings into Trump’s cryptocurrency holdings, while the Senate is also considering the CLARITY Act, a separate bill intended to establish a regulatory framework for digital assets.
Taken together, the developments leave the housing bill on track to take effect despite the absence of Trump’s signature, while the dispute over the Save America Act and broader crypto legislation continues to shape debate in Washington.
