Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is navigating a treacherous week on Capitol Hill as a faction of conservative hard-liners, led by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), continues to disrupt floor proceedings over the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. The standoff has already delayed action on a key appropriations bill and threatens to complicate consideration of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Last week, a group of rebels brought the House to a near-standstill by threatening to vote down procedural rules unless the Senate passed the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot. President Trump stepped in, posting on Truth Social that House Republicans should “unify, and stop voting down 'Rules' or, threatening to do so,” adding, “No more grandstanding, please!”
But the message appears to have had limited impact. Luna announced she has filed an amendment to attach the SAVE Act to the NDAA, now sitting in the Rules Committee. “This is how to get my vote on a rule,” she wrote on social media. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), the House Freedom Caucus policy chair, also brushed off Trump’s plea, demanding immediate passage of HR2 on border security, a congressional stock trading ban, the SAVE Act, and fully funded defense with real offsets.
Johnson’s margin is razor-thin, making near-unanimous GOP support essential to adopt rules. The Senate is out for two weeks, adding pressure to resolve the impasse quickly.
NDAA in the Crosshairs
The House Rules Committee is set to meet Monday to consider amendments to the FY27 NDAA, which authorizes $1.15 trillion in discretionary defense spending. House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) touted the bill as strengthening the defense industrial base and investing in innovative technologies, aligning with Trump’s goal of pushing defense spending to 4.5% of GDP.
Luna’s push to attach the SAVE Act could sink the NDAA in the Senate, where Democratic votes will be needed to overcome a filibuster. Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas) called on Luna to be a “team player,” warning the institution cannot function with “one rogue member.” Luna countered that non-germane amendments are routinely added when leadership prioritizes them, calling the SAVE Act a “PRIORITY.”
Appropriations Bill Delayed
The House is expected to take up a spending bill funding the State Department and national security programs this week, after the SAVE Act revolt forced a postponement. It remains unclear whether hard-liners will again oppose the rule. The chamber has already passed two FY27 appropriations bills: one for military construction and Veterans Affairs, and another for agriculture and the FDA.
Meanwhile, House Republicans continue internal discussions on a third reconciliation package, a complex effort that could include border security and tax provisions. The standoff underscores growing conservative discontent with Trump's grip on the GOP, as lawmakers like Luna and Roy defy leadership to force action on their priorities.
Also on the calendar: a war powers resolution directing Trump to remove troops from Lebanon, which could come to a vote as early as this week. The resolution reflects broader unease over military engagements, even as polling shows 59 million Americans oppose an Iran war.
