Jeffries Points to Bipartisan Housing Bill as Model for Working With Trump

Hakeem Jeffries pointed to this summer’s bipartisan housing legislation as a model for working with President Donald Trump in an interview published on November 8. The House Democratic leader outlined that approach after his party won the House majority, while seeking colleagues’ support to become speaker. “Donald Trump decided not to sign it, but he also understood he couldn’t veto it,” Jeffries said of the housing measure. He said Democrats would continue pursuing legislation to make everyday life more affordable, leaving Trump to decide whether to cooperate. Jeffries also said neither he nor Trump had called the other since the election. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law without Trump’s signature on July 11, according to the House Financial Services Committee’s Democrats. Their announcement said the package aimed to expand affordable housing supply and homeownership, reduce housing costs and modernize federal housing programs. It passed the House 358–32 on June 23 after an 85–5 Senate vote on June 22. In his November 4 letter requesting support for speaker, Jeffries identified affordability, accountability and American values as his agenda’s priorities. He listed five affordability working groups covering housing, healthcare, groceries and goods, gas and utilities, and caregiving. His proposals for the first 100 days included reversing Medicaid cuts, restoring SNAP funding, extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and removing Trump’s tariffs.