New Mexico Democrats melted down this week after President Donald Trump abruptly canceled a planned signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, saying he would not move forward until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election-integrity measure backed by the White House and popular with around 80 percent of Americans.
The White House posted a clear message Wednesday: “PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.”
The post included a graphic featuring Trump at a podium and a highlighted message from the president stating, “Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency.”
The move immediately set off Democrats nationally and in New Mexico, who accused Trump of holding up a bipartisan housing bill in order to pressure Congress on election reforms.
The legislation at the center of the fight is the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing package aimed at increasing housing supply, lowering costs, restricting large investor purchases of single-family homes, and expanding access to housing assistance and financing tools.
But Trump’s ultimatum shifted the conversation from housing to elections — and Democrats erupted.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich released a statement accusing Trump of choosing election reform over housing affordability.
“Let’s be clear about what’s happening: President Trump is choosing to prioritize attacking Americans’ right to vote over ensuring families can afford housing,” Heinrich said.
“Right now, New Mexicans are being priced out of a place to live,” he continued. “A bipartisan group of legislators came together to fix it – to make housing more affordable and put home ownership within reach for more folks. We passed the bill and did our part, now the president needs to do his: sign this legislation into law NOW.”
Heinrich’s office pointed to New Mexico’s worsening housing costs, saying the median sale price of homes in the state increased from $216,500 in 2019 to $345,000 in 2024. His office also said New Mexico’s housing inventory has fallen to half of its 2018 level, while rents have increased from $844 in 2019 to $1,021 in 2023.
The statement also claimed New Mexico is short roughly 40,000 affordable rental housing units.
Heinrich blamed the housing crisis in part on “Wall Street landlords artificially decreasing the housing supply and driving up home prices and rents,” as well as Trump’s “broad, cost raising tariffs on critical homebuilding materials.”
Other New Mexico Democrats quickly joined the pile-on.
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández wrote on X, “Trump is now refusing to sign a bipartisan bill that would increase housing supply and prevent private equity from buying up residential homes. Americans are struggling. We need to pass this bill. He doesn’t care.”
U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez also weighed in, writing, “Today the only thing standing between Americans and a bipartisan bill to make housing more affordable is the President.”
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján posted that Congress had passed “the largest housing bill in decades to lower costs and expand homeownership.”
“Donald Trump called it ‘minor importance,’” Luján wrote. “There’s nothing minor about families struggling to afford rent, save for a down payment, or buy their first home. Senate Democrats delivered a bipartisan, landmark housing bill. Donald Trump couldn’t even be bothered to show up.”
Luján also reposted a sharply worded attack from U.S. Sen. Tina Smith of Minnesota, who wrote that Trump’s move “says a lot about someone’s politics when you’re willing to block a massive bipartisan legislative win in service of a Hail Mary attempt to save your own fragile ego from electoral humiliation.”
Rep. Melanie Stansbury, meanwhile, called the episode “bizarre,” writing that Trump was supposed to sign the housing bill but “didn’t and is a no show—because he says he’s mad at the Senate.”
The reaction underscored how aggressively Democrats are trying to frame the fight as Trump blocking housing relief. But Trump and the White House are framing the issue differently: as a fight over election security.
The SAVE America Act, promoted by the White House, would amend federal voter-registration law to require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The White House’s SAVE Act page says, “American citizens — and only American citizens — should decide American elections.”
The White House describes the proposal as requiring “a Valid ID Before Registering to Vote in a Federal Election,” “Proof of Citizenship,” and limits on mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military service, or travel.
Democrats, however, are portraying the legislation as a threat to voting access. In a post amplified by Luján, liberal commentator Kyle Griffin claimed the SAVE Act is “designed to help rig elections.”
That is the fight Trump appears to want.
Earlier this month, the White House itself praised the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, calling on Congress to pass it and describing it as “the most comprehensive and consequential housing legislation in the history of our country.” But Trump is now using the bill signing as leverage to demand action on election integrity.
For New Mexico Democrats, the moment offered a chance to accuse Trump of indifference toward families struggling with housing costs. For Trump, it created a national pressure point on a signature issue: requiring proof of citizenship in elections.
The political clash now leaves Democrats fuming, Republicans defending Trump’s demand for election safeguards, and the housing bill caught in the middle.
Whether the standoff lasts or is resolved quickly, the message from Trump was unmistakable: no SAVE America Act, no housing bill signing.
And New Mexico Democrats are furious.
Pass the SAVE Act, save America!
Stop illegals from voting- pass the SAVE ACT.
Vasquez is against the SAVE Act because then he can’t count on the illegal vote to win.
With the SAVE Act in place, Vasquez’ Mexican uncle can’t vote for him.
President Trump already signed an EO stopping wall Street and hedge funds from buying up housing. He was the one that pushed Congress to put it into law. He is brilliantly using it as leverage to get the Save Act passed. If anything it is exposing rinos and communists. Trump already said that if it does not pass he has the authority under the War powers act to write an EO as it is a matter of national security and is in his pervue as the CIC to keep America safe.
PASS THE SAVE ACT………………………….The other day Vasquez was seen on tv in Seattle at a soccer match who paid for his trip and for his ticket i hear the tickets are expensive.
Given that the “housing crisis” is primarily due to policies by state and local governments – property taxes, impact fees, building restrictions, etc.. – the passage of a bill by the Feds is largely symbolic – feel good” political move in an election year.
The SAVE Act is actually something that will have an impact on keeping our elections fair and secure. Much more important.
25 percent of the cost of a house is due to govt regulation. surely all those regulations are not necessary. what do you expect housing prices and rents to do America when biden invites in 20 million illegals. they have to live somewhere. they push up your rents by the laws of supply and demand, but Americans are now too stupid or afraid to correlate the actions and consequences. I promise you the illegals would not let you walk into their nations and wreck their standards of living. they arent that stupid.
If your not an American you can’t vote in American Elections ! Get it through your freaking skull. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
It would be nice if the Piñon Post actually reported FULL facts and avoided sensationalism. Same goes for Democrats who apparently are outraged … over nothing.
So, Trump has a temper-tantrum and refuses to sign a bill. Big deal … NOT!
Again, had balanced reporting occurred, readers would have been told the truth of the matter.
There are three things that can occur when a bill reaches a president’s desk.
a) He/she can sign it.
b) He/she can veto it (in which case Congress may attempt or succeed at a veto override vote of 2/3rds.
c) IF he/she does NOTHING (as is the case here), a bill BECOMES LAW AUTOMATICALLY 10 days (excluding Sundays). The only exception is if Congress adjourns within that 10 days, in which a pocket veto occurs.
‘C’ is what the Piñon Post did not tell readers, and what Democrats deliberately ignore (because they KNOW this is the case); which in both cases are juvenile tactics to inflame their respective audiences.
And, those respective audiences don’t take any time to learn and understand facts, are willfully ignorant of facts (to suit their own biases), or are truly ignorant. Whichever category applies, these are not informed voters.
Partisan politics much? Surely.
Less than full and transparent reporting? Absolutely.
Since many folks ‘profess’ to be Christian, I refer you to John 8:32 … where Jesus said ‘The truth will set you free’.
It’s clear that many reject truth when it does not align with what they’ve been told to believe by political parties or whatever false god they follow politically.
the real question is why all democrats and a handful of repubs wont support the save america bill. its blatant support of voting corruption. you have to have an ID to do things in america, from buying fuel injector cleaner to alcohol to the legal weed that dems love. denying save america is supporting voter fraud.
As an Independent I support neither Dems nor Repubs.
Are Dems bad for NM? Objectively and logically, yes. The party’s monopolistic control of state-level (and now, federal) politics for 96 years and counting demonstrably is why NM is in the pathetic state-of-affairs in nearly every important metric.
Failure of leadership is the applicable phrase. Party and politician self-interest over the good of the citizens is both cause and effect.
Do Repubs represent a viable alternative? Not for the last decade at least as they offer unelectable people hewing to a niche mentality helmed by the current president.
Can a Repub get elected in NM? Sure, but only if someone can be centrist and appeal to the currently overwhelming Democrat-voter majority as well as Independents. It’s simply a numbers game where significantly more voters in one party than another win by force of presence. It’s the same metric as occurs in states with huge Repub majorities. Does that also mean there is voter fraud in those states when Dems routinely lose? Think about it (and the only logical answer is ‘no’).
Rather than offer viable candidates, Repubs retreat into the tired narrative of voter fraud.
Is there voter fraud? Maybe/likely/certainly, but no party hack nor misled voter who buys into that talking point has EVER provided EVIDENCE that it occurs (and certainly NOT at a scale where any election outcome is affected).
“Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda often attributed to the Nazi Joseph Goebbels.
How anyone can believe claims of voter fraud that never are proven begs logic. Apparently, no proof is necessary, just the repeated claim that IT happens. ‘So and so said it, so it’s good enough for me’ is not informed citizenship.
Those who are inclined to believe things lacking proof are the easily misled electorate politicians rely upon. Such persons should critically examine why a mere claim is sufficient, as well as why they do not insist upon proof of such claims.
Do not let any politician think for you, much less tell you lies.
Charles you seem to be an intelligent person but don’t kid yourself there has been cheating at the polls here in New Mexico for decades and non citizens voting here, that’s why they don’t want integrity at the polls IMHO
‘ … there has been cheating at the polls here in New Mexico for decades and non citizens voting here …’
How do you know this? Surely, you will provide evidence of your assertion for readers to evaluate.
I especially am eager to see proof, so please provide same without further delay so that appropriate prosecutorial action may be taken.
This what I referenced above. Claims of fraud, without evidence, do not equal validation of said claims. Surely, with ‘decades of cheating’ some fragment of evidence can be presented?
Thank you.
who are the “good” candidates dems put up Charles ? Keller ? MLG ? Heinrich ? Ben Ray ? Deb Haaland for heavens sake ? all failures. it doesnt matter who the repubs put up. the overwhelming number of voters in NM are dem and they wont vote for repubs. forget 20 years ago, NM has changed. if you dont think voter fraud exists, then good for you. explain how Nythia Raman came from behind to be the number two candidate for mayor in LA when all the of the last batch of mail in votes were overwhelmingly for her. thats statistically impossible.
Please read my original post again. Nowhere did I say Dems put up ‘good’ candidates. I did say ‘Dems are bad for NM’.
As I asserted, and you repeated, the ‘overwhelming’ number of voters are Dems.
However, I disagree that it doesn’t matter who Repubs put up for election. It certainly does. NM has elected Repub governors, and not that long ago. How did that happen? They were more centrist and appealed, successfully to the electorate. That wasn’t an anomaly. However, those governors did not have Repubs either in both or even one legislative chamber, so conservative efforts were thwarted (just as those Repub governors also, and fortunately, blunted/blocked the worst excesses of Dems in their legislative efforts via vetoes).
What is different is, while NM Dems seem significantly to vote on autopilot for Dem candidates (even the far-left ones), they will not vote for a far-right Repub (and that is the kind of candidate Repubs essentially have offered for the last 10 years.
It’s simple math.
You are correct, I don’t believe voter fraud exists (at least not to any degree actually skewing an election the wrong way. I operate on facts and evidence. Show me something other than unsubstantiated claims and I will amend my views (and expect prosecutions).
Regarding your question about the LA turnaround, the same metric applies. There are 1,228,655 Dems in Los Angeles vs. 327,423 Repubs (per the CA Sec of State … just looked that up).
That means between the two parties, Repubs represent only 21% of voters.
Again, it’s simple math. In LA Dems outnumber Repubs 4 to 1. Similar to NM, if EVERY Repub voted they still lack the number to win without Independents, unaffiliated voters and disaffected Dems voting with them, but even then unless a HUGE number of Dems defect there is NO way a Repub stands a chance.
Also, Dems are demonstrated to vote-by-mail in large numbers; Repubs much more reluctant.
Because there are more Dems in LA (and NM) than Repubs, more Dems vote in person than Repubs, and the same is true for mailed ballots.
Lacking (again) evidence, there was no fraud, and nothing suspicious. At the risk of being repetitive: it’s just simple math.
Why is all this so hard to accept?
Yes Charles I’ve personally been told not to push the submit button when I have voted and I’ve personally known non citizens bragging about voting so don’t try and push propaganda my way. If I knew how to stop this bullsh-t I would have already taken action. You go ahead and believe what you want but IMHO I know damn well they cheat
And, Charles, you’re going to see the evidence of voter fraud soon.
https://californiaglobe.com/fl/judicial-watch-exposes-californias-873000-ghost-voter-crisis-on-eve-of-june-2-primary-files-federal-lawsuit/
no voter fraud charles . why wont calif allow the feds to see their voter rolls ? why wont NM allow the feds to see their voter rolls ? because they have plenty to hide, thats why. In calif when an illegal is given a drivers license, they are automatically registered to vote. its call motor voter. nope, no fraud possible in that kind of system. Right ? i could provide more but why bother. you are convinced its all wholesome and legit.
https://nypost.com/2026/06/25/us-news/long-island-school-clerk-caught-tearing-up-ballots-trashing-votes-to-help-her-candidate-win-probe/
here you go charles. some of that voter fraud that doesnt exist. no other nation permits mail in ballots because they know they are ripe with fraud. perhaps an internet search would provide you the evidence you expect us to provide to you.
We want confirmation of no fraud Charles and a uniform way that elections are performed and legitimized if necessary, its not a big thing unless there is something to hide. Lets just prove my dead dad is not still voting Democrat.
I suspect from comments here that some are convinced that confirmation of ‘no fraud’ is possible, even though it isn’t.
I am not opposed to voter ID, just to the extreme way some want to implement it.
More concerning are the attitudes that voter fraud is systemic and epidemic, with claims of same that never are substantiated.
Readers will notice that none of the people making such claims do so in the courts, where perjury has real penalties (it’s a felony).
Case in point: On Nov. 7, 2020 the day most media outlets called the race for Joe Biden, Rudy Giuliani stood outside a landscaping business in Philadelphia, making false claims about widespread election malfeasance. “This is a gross miscarriage of the process that would assure that these ballots are not fraudulent,” he said. “It’s a fraud, an absolute fraud.”
However, on November 17, 2020 Mr. Giuliani was in Federal Court in Pennsylvania, being questioned by a federal judge regarding his claims of fraud. In this setting where, as noted above, there are REAL consequences for lying under oath, Mr. Giuliani made a
different admission: “This is not a fraud case,” he said.
Read that again.
Beyond being the former mayor of NYC, prior to that Rudy was THE US Attorney for the southern district of NY and handled 9|11, organized crime, and political corruption cases. He knew how to walk the line between politics/entertainment for the true believers on the street corner, and criminal law. FOR SURE, when it counted, when he was on the spot to back up his claims, he wasn’t going to say anything that would send him to prison.
There are no penalties for lying on the street corner, but serious ones in court.
Cesar you hit the nail right on the head!!!!!! They’re scared SH-TLESS they will loose a lot of their voting base
I came here to say basically the same thing. It’s a tactic to enrage either / both sides.
The SAVE America Act is somethng that desperatley needs to be passed but the housing act will become law soon.
There is plenty of evidence of voter fraud that has been swaying elections for decades. If you actually research it there is plenty of evidence on free speech platforms including the incredible work of Professor David Clement and many more in NM. Much of it has been censored on Bolshavek run media. Maduro has already made a deal as Venezuela was the birthplace of smartmatic and has been used to steal elections around the world via Hammer and Scorecard. President Trump already told us, “we have it all, we caught them all”. You do not think that they have not been tracking it through Space Force after Trump told us they were going to cheat? Every ballot is tracked, all electronics are tracked via source code. The servers have already been confiscated. Why do you think there are over 650,000 sealed indictments on pacer.gov? Why do you think there are 5 Rico cases ongoing with grand juries being convened? Why do you think President Trump expanded Gitmo to include judicial chambers? There absolutely has been an enormous amount of election fraud ongoing, they just didn’t realize they were all being tracked as cases were being built. No one that is guilty escapes this.
Pass the SAVE ACT PLEASE I don’t trust anyone in our State government that is of democratic party, maybe our Secretary of State read between the lines and rescinded her position for Democratic leadership for lieutenant governor.
The truth shall be known
Heinrich cited an increase in rents from 2018 to 2023. what he didnt say is that bidens 20 million illegals needed a place to live and that drove up demand while supply didnt keep up. that drove up rents. It was heinrich and the democrats that drove up rents with their illegal exodus into the USA, but they know most voters are too uninformed or stupid to understand that.
It’s going to get so apparent that cheating has gone on and Venezuela and Serbia played a part. China too. And, I figure some people are stepping down because of knowledge. In DC, some people are still there and some appear to be there but are Central Casting actors.
If you muscle test someone on a 0 to 10 to see how happy they are, starting with greater than 5 or wherever you want to start, then go greater than 2, greater than 1, greater than 1/4 and it’s still a NO, then they are likely dead. Some are dead, like I said. Even here.
There are Actors, for normal people to question, if they have eyes to See and ears to Hear. Central Casting means something.
Let’s be clear……..the democraps don’t want integrity at the polls and they for damn sure don’t give a damn about New Mexicans and their housing. They have had plenty of opportunities to address the housing crisis including the homeless. They’re so full of shit, they know integrity at the polls would more than likely destroy their power here in NEW MEXICO. There (IMHO) has been non American voters voting here in New Mexico for decades. They’re shaking in their boots and using the housing epidemic to cover up the fact they have been manipulating the polls for years. Thank you DONALD TRUMP for standing up for America and the true Americans!!!!!!!
believe the democrats when they tell you they are for illegals. they are. much of what dems do benefit illegals and not those born here. I heard a report yesterday that between housing price increases, medical price increases, and school increases all caused by the influx of bidens illegals is costing americans 1 trillion dollars a year. thats just a fact. dems just turn their heads and claim racism. no wonder so many people are struggling in the usa. we have been ignored by our own govt. same thing happening in europe and especially england.
Let’s not forget the increase in auto insurance because illegals driving without licenses and insurance. Even when given licenses in this state they were still driving without insurance and us legal licensed drivers with insurance pay for them because the uninsured clause in our policies. According to the insurance industry the increase was 500%.
Let the butthurt flow
ALL DEMOCRATS CAN GO TO HELL
Just pass the save act. President Trump has said for a long time now, he won’t sign anything else until our elections are secure. Just common sense!
https://youtu.be/sZLoJ6HjHBU?is=wxu3hbt061xCQ_Uv
Promethium Update on the Save America Act and this communist color revolution America is undergoing.
Stansbury talking about “no show”. Where is Congress? They have already left for parts unknown an entire week before our 250th anniversary. Couldn’t they work to pass the SAVE ACT which a great majority of Republicans and Democrats support?
Fernandez is worried about housing, mmm well perhaps if she didn’t give her blessing to have illegals we wouldn’t have a housing and healthcare shortage.
The only thing Vasquez is worried about is ensuring that he can get as many illegals into this country as possible to solidify that we never see a Republican in any office ever again!
Now Heinrich is worried about housing for New Mexicans while just a few weeks ago he was sending emails asking New Mexicans to voice our objections regarding loss of some habitat protections or other in Minnesota! Finally Lujan, Mr Blackjack dealer, “demand and supply”. Obviously he never took any economics classes
These “brilliant” minds don’t give a second thought to New Mexicans’ needs!
ben ray has dealt NM a bad hand since he got into office. a nepo baby that got in on his name. what a sham.
As long as the minions tow the party line they will never be hungry , homeless ,without personal transportation or security details. If it was carter, clinton, obama or biden doing the same it would not be opposed or possibly never be known. Selective memory is a requirement for useful idiots.
It comes down to this: Politicians are elected by the people to serve the people, their constituents. Polling shows between 80 and 90 percent approval of the SAVE Act by the American people. Based upon this information, the SAVE Act should have been passed months ago. Our elected leaders have forgotten whom they represent and only serve their own interests. I fear that they are all the same, Democrat, Republican, and Independent. Massive changes are needed!
The SAVE Act is not going to do anyone any good. The hidden agenda within this SAVE Act is unknown because politicians hide sh*** in these bills that benefit them. You just have to read the Patriot Act and understand the SAVE Act is no different. Our Republic is governed by the People and until they can enforce our Constitution upon their servants (not lawmakers) NOTHING will ever change.
Absolutely correct assessment.