Conn. delegation angry at Trump's canceled federal housing bill signing

Connecticut’s delegation expressed anger and frustration after President Trump canceled the signing of a bipartisan federal housing bill on Wednesday.

“Holding housing hostage for this voter suppression bill is totally unacceptable," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) said. “I'm angry because the solution here is within grasp and the president has created a needless, reckless problem that members of his own party are condemning.”

Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT 4) shared his anger by posting a video on social media.

“It was a bipartisan accomplishment, and the president just said no, until you pass the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act is this insane piece of legislation that solves a problem that doesn’t exist," he said.

Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT 2) also expressed disappointment in a social media post, saying in part, "This is a total failure of leadership that ignores the pleas of the American people to lower costs."

Rep. John Larson (D-CT 1) also responded online.

"Congress came together to act on housing. Our bill will mean more affordable homes, new homeownership opportunities, and accountability for corporate landlords. But Trump won't sign it without Jim Crow voting restrictions. He'd rather rig the midterms than do anything to help you," he said.

The housing bill would reduce federal regulations, speed up construction, and limit corporate landlords by capping their ability to purchase single-family homes.

The bill moves forward in ten days without the president's signature, unless he vetoes it.

“I said I'm not signing the housing bill. I want to see what happens with SAVE," President Trump said when asked about a veto. "I made billions of dollars with housing. I know housing better than anybody, maybe anywhere. It's all about the interest rate.”

In Connecticut, the housing inventory is limited. According to CT DataHaven, there are 27 active listings per 10,000 homes in the state. The national average is 76.

“Supply is so low, especially when you get into that affordable price range, like under half $1 million," real estate specialist at Real Broke CT Debbie Huscher said.

She said clients are being beaten out by buyers who pay way over the asking price and in cash.

“As that saying goes, cash is king, and it gives more security to the seller," she said.

Huscher believes more homes would bring prices down.

The state legislature passed its own housing law last fall that requires towns to create a housing growth plan. Plans are due June 2028.