Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is encountering significant challenges as the House of Representatives reconvenes amid threats from conservative members of the GOP to disrupt proceedings until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which aims to codify former President Donald Trump’s border policies.
In June, Republican leadership had to cancel votes and send lawmakers home due to a conservative blockade, with 13 GOP members demanding that the SAVE America Act be attached to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and that Trump’s deportation policies be codified. Given the narrow Republican majority, Johnson can only afford to lose three GOP votes before needing Democratic support.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is leading the push for the SAVE America Act, which mandates voter ID and proof of citizenship for voter registration nationwide. Although the House has previously approved the measure, it has stalled in the Senate due to insufficient support to overcome the filibuster. Luna has called for the act to be included in various must-pass bills.
Johnson previously attempted to merge the NDAA with the SAVE America Act but faced opposition from Luna, who insisted on its inclusion in the NDAA text. Johnson has stated that Luna's claims about his plan are inaccurate.
Luna has indicated she will continue the GOP blockade until her demands are met, while other GOP members express frustration over leadership's failure to schedule a promised vote on immigration legislation. Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO) highlighted that the lack of action on a border security measure was a key reason for his support of the blockade.
The House Rules Committee is set to meet to discuss making daylight saving time permanent, which is a priority for Florida Republicans, along with two spending bills that were previously delayed. The NDAA is not currently scheduled for a vote.