The House Republicans descending on President Trump’s Doral resort near Miami this week are looking to plan out a legislative agenda for the months leading up to November’s midterm elections — a plan that could help blunt the political challenges they face due to economic concerns, Trump’s tariffs, the Epstein files, the administration’s immigration crackdown and now a war with Iran that is exacerbating affordability fears.
President Trump has his own ideas. In a social media post on Sunday, Trump said he will not sign any legislation until the Senate sends him the Save America Act, a House-passed Republican bill requiring people to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote and identification when voting in federal elections.
“It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else,” Trump wrote, adding, “I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION.”
Trump demanded that lawmakers also prohibit the use of mail-in ballots with limited exceptions, prevent biological males from playing in women’s sports and ban gender reassignment surgeries for children.
Hardline conservatives have rallied behind the bill, calling for the Senate to require a “talking filibuster” as they aim to skirt the chamber’s requirement for a 60-vote majority.
The talking filibuster would force Democrats to hold the Senate floor in person in order to block the GOP bill.
In his speech to House Republicans this afternoon, Trump again urged Republicans to prioritize the Save America Act and reiterated his threat to keep other items on hold. “I’m for not approving anything,” Trump said today. “I don’t think we should approve anything until this is approved.”
He told Republicans that this was the best path to win in November. “It’ll guarantee the midterms,” he said.
Trump’s demand to prioritize the GOP’s election overhaul clouds the outlook for other key items, including a funding bill to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown that started more than three weeks ago, legislation to lower housing costs and a confirmation vote on the nomination of Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead DHS.
Among the big questions Republicans must confront is whether to try to pass another party-line budget reconciliation bill and, if so, what should be included in such a package. The GOP’s slim majorities in the House and Senate would make that an extremely challenging exercise, though the Iran war and the resulting need for a supplemental defense spending bill, which Democrats would likely oppose, may push Republicans to try.
The bottom line: Despite pressure from MAGA Republicans, Senate Majority Leader John Thune has thrown cold water on the idea of using the “talking filibuster,” warning that it is “much more complicated and risky than people are assuming at the moment.” Thune said that the process could take months of Senate floor time. It could also allow Democrats to force votes on sensitive issues. That leaves the GOP agenda uncertain, but it’s notable that Trump has not given much attention to the economic and affordability concerns that voters say are their top issues.