Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA), House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-CA), and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) Ranking Member on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, released the following statement on President Trump's Abandonment of Landmark Bipartisan Housing Legislation released the following statement after President Donald Trump announced he would not sign bipartisan, bicameral housing legislation aimed at lowering housing costs, expanding affordable housing, increasing housing supply, and addressing homelessness:

Ranking Member Maxine Waters said:

“No one should be surprised by Donald Trump's latest stunt. At a time when families across this country are struggling with rising housing costs, homelessness, and a severe shortage of affordable homes, this bipartisan, bicameral legislation represents a real opportunity for Congress and the White House to come together and deliver meaningful relief to all of our constituents who are struggling under our nation’s housing crisis. Instead, Donald Trump once again chose political gamesmanship over helping the American people. This bill earned overwhelming bipartisan support because members on both sides of the aisle and the Capitol recognized the urgency of this crisis and the need to lower housing costs, expand affordable housing, and create pathways to homeownership.

I remain confident that we can still get this legislation across the finish line. The housing crisis is bigger than any one President, and this moment calls for leaders who are willing to put the American people ahead of themselves. With or without Donald Trump's support, Republicans can join Democrats and still have an opportunity and a responsibility to do the right thing.”

Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II

“Our national housing affordability crisis is real, and it is increasingly putting the American dream further out of reach.

For more than a year, as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, I have worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House and the Senate to tackle this issue head-on—which is precisely what the public wants to see from their elected officials.

It resulted in the most significant housing legislation passed in more than three decades, garnering overwhelming bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. Now, at the last minute, the president wants to use this relief for hardworking families as leverage to force through a partisan voter suppression bill. It is deeply disappointing to those of us who worked tirelessly on the bill, and it is deeply disrespectful to Americans struggling to stay afloat.

I wish the president would seek serenity instead of attention. He should sign the bill, take the win, and help ease the pain that families are feeling under his leadership.”

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries:

“Donald Trump has decided to detonate a bipartisan bill meant to ensure everyday Americans can put a roof over their head. He has once again made clear that Republicans would rather make it harder to vote than easier to afford to live in America. The President should sign. The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act immediately, which passed the House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support and will help increase the housing supply, lower costs for families and make necessary reforms that strengthen and protect communities across the country. I thank Ranking Member Waters for her leadership on this important piece of legislation.”

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar:

“The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a solution to a national emergency: the affordable housing crisis,” said House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar. “It’s also an example of the great things Congress can achieve when we work across the aisle to deliver results to improve the lives of the American people. But once again, the President is putting himself and his extremist agenda before hardworking families. He cares more about suppressing voters than addressing the sky-high price of housing that’s crushing our constituents. Every single House Democrat voted to pass this critical bill, and we will keep fighting to get this legislation across the finish line so we can bring down housing costs for the American people.”

House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark:

“Democrats in Congress struck a commonsense, bipartisan agreement to address the soaring cost of housing under the Trump regime. Now, Trump is threatening to block our legislation and hike costs even higher unless Congress enacts widespread, systematic voter suppression. The contrast could not be clearer. Trump stands for higher prices and fewer rights. Democrats stand for an economy that people can actually afford.”

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