By CHARLOTTE KRAMON, ALEX VEIGA and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
In a rare bipartisan effort for a deeply divided Congress, the Senate has passed a broad bill to make U.S. housing more accessible and affordable. The bill passed on Thursday would reduce regulations, regulate corporate investors and expand how housing dollars can be used to build affordable homes and rentals. It now heads back to the House, which passed a separate version earlier this year. It is unclear whether President Donald Trump would sign it after declaring last weekend that he won't sign any new measures unless Congress passes legislation that would require voters to show proof of citizenship.
By STEVE PEOPLES, STEPHEN GROVES and MARC LEVY Associated Press
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is in the rare position of having to defend someone else's controversial comments. Trump said Wednesday running mate JD Vance is "strongly family-oriented" when asked repeatedly to explain Vance's history of criticizing childless Americans. Trump's latest defense of his vice presidential pick came more than two weeks after he announced Vance's selection. Since the announcement, Trump's team has been confronted with multiple reports of the Ohio senator's controversial statements that have made his rollout among the most turbulent in recent history. A senior Trump adviser says there has been "zero conversation" about replacing Vance as his running mate.
