GREEN BAY, WI — State Rep. Amaad Rivera-Wagner (D-Green Bay) today criticized the decision by President Trump to delay a bipartisan federal housing package that would help address housing affordability and housing supply challenges facing communities across Wisconsin and the nation. The legislation passed Congress with bipartisan support and includes practical reforms to increase housing supply, expand access to homeownership, and reduce barriers that make it harder for communities to build the housing they need. Trump was set to sign the bill today but cancelled at the last minute, saying the bill was “of minor importance” and stated he would not sign the bill until Congress passes the controversial “SAVE Act”, a sweeping and restrictive anti-voter bill that doesn’t currently have enough votes to pass.
Rivera-Wagner noted that many of the proposals mirror bipartisan housing efforts advanced in Wisconsin, including the Workforce Home Loan Program, legislation he co-authored and helped pass into law earlier this year. The program helps working families overcome down payment and closing cost barriers to homeownership. “Congress did something rare. Republicans and Democrats came together around a problem every American understands and found common ground on housing. Instead of delivering that relief, Washington and the Trump Administration are once again choosing political theater driven by conspiracy theories. The people of Green Bay do not care about the latest political fight. They care about whether they can afford a home, whether their children can stay in the community where they grew up, and whether hard work will still lead to opportunity.”
Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Wisconsin families. For the first time in modern history, the average age of a first-time homebuyer is now 40, while the median homeowner is 56. Rising costs and limited housing inventory have pushed homeownership further out of reach for young families and workers than it has been in generations.
“Housing is not a Republican issue or a Democratic issue. It is an American issue. The average first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old. An entire generation is being told to wait longer, save more, and expect less. In Wisconsin, we did not wait for perfect agreement. We worked across party lines and passed the Workforce Home Loan Program because families needed help now. That is what people expect from government. Not election lies. Not conspiracy theories. Not more games. They expect us to do our jobs and deliver results.”
Rep. Rivera-Wagner represents Wisconsin’s 90th Assembly District and co-authored Wisconsin’s bipartisan Workforce Home Loan Program, which expands access to homeownership for working families.
