Trump opens America 250 celebration amid Senate policy battles

President Donald Trump kicked off the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, launching a two-week celebration marking the nation's 250th anniversary.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump kicked off the Great American State Fair on the National Mall, launching a two-week celebration marking the nation’s 250th anniversary.

During the opening event, Trump highlighted his administration’s policies and praised the nation’s economy and military.

“We have the largest economy on Earth. We have the strongest military on Earth,” the president said.

A military band performed at the event after several musicians canceled appearances over concerns the celebration would become politicized.

The festivities came as Trump postponed signing a bipartisan housing affordability bill that would restrict large institutional homebuyers and ease some building regulations.

Instead, the president urged Republicans to first pass the Save America Act, a voter identification measure that remains stalled in the Senate.

Republican lawmakers have resisted changing Senate rules to advance the legislation, while Democrats argue the proposal would make voting more difficult.

Trump also met privately with Senate Republicans to discuss his legislative agenda.

Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy acknowledged he confronted the president over the conflict with Iran, saying he would not be pressured while seeking answers for the American people.

After receiving a White House briefing, Cassidy voted against a largely symbolic Senate resolution that sought to limit the president’s war powers related to Iran. The measure failed after Cassidy had supported a similar resolution the previous day.