Johnson walks tightrope with SAVE America Act push in reconciliation 3.0

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is aiming to advance a grant program tied to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act in a Republicans reconciliation package, betting that the party-line process could provide a pathway for one of conservatives’ — and President Trump’s — top priorities.

The proposal, unveiled by Johnson at a Wednesday press briefing, would create a fund that states could tap to implement provisions of the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and the presentation of an ID to cast a ballot. It is an attempt to work around the so-called Byrd Rule, which sets strict budgetary requirements for what can be included in a reconciliation bill, after the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the SAVE America Act in its entirety was not eligible.

But the idea has already drawn pushback from some hardline conservatives, who argue the effort amounts to an incentive program and say they would prefer to see the full legislation clear the Senate. Other Republicans have questioned whether a third reconciliation package is even possible this year.

The push highlights the difficult balancing act Johnson faces as he looks to advance a third reconciliation bill, enact Trump’s priorities and manage a razor-thin majority in an election year.

It also underscores just how much Trump’s repeated insistence that Congress pass the SAVE America Act has upended the GOP legislative agenda in both chambers as time winds down before the midterms.

The issue has become such a priority for Trump that he scrapped a signing ceremony for a widely popular bipartisan housing package on Wednesday, vowing not to put his signature on the bill until Congress moves on the voter ID law. Trump last week also vowed not to sign a reauthorization of the U.S.’s lapsed foreign spy powers until lawmakers pass the SAVE America Act.

In the House, Rep. Anna........

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