President Trump is lobbying House Republicans to support a budget resolution needed to unlock the filibuster-proof reconciliation process that could help pass pieces of his priority election integrity legislation.
Read more Anti-ICE suspect arrested outside New York City federal building after lighting incendiary device
The measure is in danger of failing because some Republicans disapprove of the plan, so Mr. Trump took to social media on Monday urging his party to fall in line.
“I am asking all House Republicans to VOTE YES this week on the Budget Resolution, which is an important first step towards getting a Budget Bill,” he said. “House Republicans must UNIFY, and fight for THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!”
The House is aiming to adopt the budget resolution this week before departing for a monthlong summer recess.
The measure instructs four committees to craft a budget reconciliation bill containing up to $95 billion in new spending.
The money is intended to pay for restocking munitions used in the Iran war and other defense measures, economic assistance to farmers and implementation of election requirements for voters to provide proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to cast a ballot.
Several Republicans are upset that the budget does not call for the $95 billion in spending to be offset, with some threatening to vote against it.
“Right now you don’t have my vote,” Rep. Eric Burlison, Missouri Republican, said last week.
Read more Supreme Court to decide if Alaska man’s $95,000 fine for a six-pack of Budweiser was fair
Rep. Andrew Clyde, Georgia Republican, said he voted to advance the budget out of committee on Thursday with the understanding that Republicans “will continue to work toward full offsets in the final bill by adding provisions to tackle waste, fraud, and abuse.”
Republicans are also watching to see how the election integrity legislation is rewritten to fit within the Senate’s budget reconciliation rules that make the bill exempt from a filibuster.
Mr. Trump said he wants as much of the SAVE America Act as possible, which “hopefully” would include a ban on mail-in ballots except for active-duty military and people who are ill, disabled or traveling.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, has said there is not enough support in his conference to pass the mail-in ballot ban, but the president is maintaining his push.
The decisions on what pieces of the SAVE America Act make it into the bill will likely not be made until after the budget resolution is adopted. But GOP leaders may need to make some promises to win over conservatives who are worried that the end product will be a watered-down version.
“I’m not prepared to talk about SAVE America Act light,” said Rep. Keith Self, Texas Republican.
Read more J.D. and Usha Vance welcome a baby boy, the first child born to a sitting VP in more than 150 years
About the Author
