US House Speaker tries to patch things up between Trump and US Congress

WASHINGTON – U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson met with President Donald Trump on Thursday in an effort to break a standoff within the Republican Party over a stalled voting bill that Trump has made his top legislative priority.

The meeting came a day after a tense closed-door discussion between Trump and Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, a group of conservative House Republicans led by Representative Anna Paulina Luna effectively halted House floor proceedings, insisting they would not support further legislative action until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act.

The Senate has failed to advance the voter ID legislation despite five attempts since March.

Trump also pressured Senate Republicans on Wednesday by canceling a scheduled signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill, which Republican leaders had hoped would highlight their efforts to address the rising cost of living ahead of the November midterm elections.

Johnson and Trump were expected to discuss a path forward for the SAVE America Act and the delayed housing bill. After the meeting, Johnson said Congress would send the unsigned housing bill to the White House while continuing work on other legislation.

"He wants to ensure that we stop any blockade in the House. Congress has work to do and that's what we're going to do," Johnson told reporters.

Johnson added that he and Trump were "on exactly the same page," though he did not specifically mention the SAVE America Act. The White House did not immediately comment on the meeting.

Debate over Republican priorities

The Senate adjourned Wednesday for a two-week Independence Day recess without taking action on the SAVE America Act, despite pressure from conservative Republicans on Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leaders.

Luna responded by saying she would not support reopening House proceedings until the Senate returned to Washington.

With Republicans holding only a narrow 218-212 majority in the House, Johnson can afford to lose no more than two Republican votes if Democrats remain united in opposition. While House Republican divisions have complicated Johnson's leadership, Senate rules require broader bipartisan support for most legislation, making it more difficult for Republican leaders to advance the bill.

The November midterm elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress. Trump's 34% approval rating, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling, has also weighed on the party's standing.

At a news conference on Thursday, eight House conservatives joined Luna in opposing further legislative action while the Senate remains out of session.

Republican leaders had hoped to move forward with bills supporting veterans and funding federal agencies, including the State Department, for the fiscal year beginning October 1. Instead, the House was expected to adjourn a day early without acting on those measures.

Trump pushes voting legislation

The SAVE America Act would require voters to present photo identification in federal elections and provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. It would also require states to share voter registration rolls with the federal government.

The House passed the bill in February, but it has stalled in the Senate due to strong Democratic opposition. Trump also wants the legislation to significantly restrict mail-in voting, although some Republicans worry such changes could reduce turnout in rural communities.

Critics argue the bill addresses a virtually nonexistent problem of non-citizen voting, which Trump has repeatedly and falsely blamed for his 2020 election loss to former President Joe Biden. They also warn that stricter documentation requirements could make voting more difficult for eligible Americans who lack easy access to passports or birth certificates.

Some Trump allies have proposed including the bill in a budget reconciliation package, which would allow it to pass the Senate with a simple majority. They have also suggested overriding the Senate parliamentarian if the voting measure is ruled ineligible under reconciliation rules.

Johnson said only that he intends to bring the legislation back to the House floor. However, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer indicated the speaker may be open to using the reconciliation process.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republicans have maintained that they currently lack the votes needed to pursue that strategy.

Some Republicans have also warned that Trump's continued focus on the SAVE America Act could benefit Democrats, who have sharply criticized the proposal. -Reporting by Nolan D. McCaskill, Steve Holland, David Morgan and Susan Heavey; writing by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone, Alistair Bell, Edmund Klamann and Trevor Hunnicutt/Reuters