The U.S. House of Representatives adjourned early for the Independence Day recess this week after a procedural vote to set up debate on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) failed in a 198-224 defeat. The defeated rule vote included a mechanism to advance the SAVE America Act, which requires voters to provide proof of citizenship to register and present a photo ID at polling places.
Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) joined a group of Republicans and Democrats to vote against the rule, stating the procedural move was insufficient. The early adjournment by House Speaker Mike Johnson followed the legislative standstill on the defense bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and other Senate Republicans have stated that the SAVE America Act lacks the 60 votes required to overcome a legislative filibuster in the upper chamber. Luna rejected that assessment, publicly criticizing the Senate leadership’s approach.
“THUNE is VERY disrespectful,” Luna said. “Thune is intentionally trying to roll the House. This is why until the SAVE America Act is passed, the House MUST put it on all MUST PASS PIECES OF LEGISLATION.”
While some lawmakers suggested attempting to pass elements of the voter ID law through budget reconciliation—a process that allows the Senate to bypass a filibuster for bills directly affecting taxes and spending—Luna stated the strategy fell short.
“Reconciliation 3.0 can get some stuff done but it mainly incentivizes,” Luna said. “There are procedural hurdles in the Senate. The point is the House MUST utilize all its tools.”
Luna also addressed internal opposition from members of her own party who objected to attaching the voting bill to the NDAA, pointing to an ongoing push for separate legislation she is co-leading to ban congressional stock trading.
“We are coming up on America’s 250th birthday, and we have feckless leadership in the Senate refusing to pass the SAVE America Act,” Luna said. “So yes, 1,000%, the rule will go down until you attach the SAVE America Act. I don’t care who in this chamber hates me for it.”
The legislative standoff has impacted other major policy items. President Donald Trump has refused to sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, a bipartisan housing affordability bill passed by Congress last week, until the SAVE America Act clears both chambers. Trump also indicated he would withhold support for the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) under the same condition.
Trump initially planned to attend a Capitol signing ceremony for the housing bill before reversing his decision. He later commented on the priority level assigned to the voting legislation.
“Compared to the Save America Act, just about everything is a big yawn,” Trump said.
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