Mike Johnson vows 'one more' push to pass Trump's voter ID bill through reconciliation
WASHINGTON, DC: House Speaker Mike Johnson on Sunday, July 5, said Republicans will make "one more" attempt to pass President Donald Trump's voter ID legislation when Congress returns from its Independence Day recess, identifying the SAVE America Act as the party's top legislative priority.
Speaking on Fox News, Johnson said GOP leaders intend to advance the measure through the budget reconciliation process after previous efforts stalled in the Senate. His remarks came a day after Trump renewed his call for the bill during the America 250 celebration on the National Mall.
🚨 BREAKING: Congress is about to reconvene and Speaker Johnson announces SAVE AMERICA ACT is PRIORITY NUMBER ONE — he's forcing a vote to put it in reconciliation
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 5, 2026
Attach it to the NDAA, put it on EVERY must-pass bill, make clear that the Senate MUST approve voter ID and proof… pic.twitter.com/orenKrwiMK
Mike Johnson says SAVE America Act is GOP's top priority
Johnson defended his decision to adjourn the House early after procedural disputes involving a small group of Republican lawmakers who delayed floor business.
"I just decided it was best to send everybody home to go celebrate July 4th in their districts. We'll come back, get everybody together. The big urgency is to get SAVE America passed. The president has that as a top priority, and so do I," he stressed.
Johnson noted that the House has already approved versions of the legislation multiple times and said Republican leaders now plan another attempt using the reconciliation process.
"We passed it three times in the House. We're gonna try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill, and I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate and finally to the President's desk. So that's forthcoming," he said.
Last week, several conservative Republicans, led by Florida Rep Anna Paulina Luna, blocked a procedural vote in protest over the bill's failure to reach Trump's desk. The legislation would require proof of US citizenship and voter identification for federal elections and has become one of Trump's key policy priorities ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Senate hurdles remain despite GOP strategy
House Republicans believe budget reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority in the Senate, offers the best chance of advancing the legislation without overcoming the chamber's 60-vote filibuster threshold.
However, Senate Republicans remain divided over whether the measure qualifies under reconciliation rules. Earlier this year, Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough ruled that key provisions of the SAVE America Act did not comply with the chamber's budget rules.
Johnson said he has discussed the strategy with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, arguing that concerns among Senate Republicans are based largely on proposals beyond the core voter identification provisions.
The speaker said the House intends to focus on legislation already approved by the chamber, requiring proof of citizenship and voter identification, while leaving aside broader election proposals that Trump has also publicly supported.
Trump reinforced his support for the legislation during his Fourth of July speech, telling supporters, "America is back, and we want to keep America great, and we will do so by approving the SAVE America Act."
Johnson also indicated House Republicans are considering linking the legislation to other must-pass measures, including the National Defense Authorization Act, as Congress prepares to reconvene later this month.
