House Republicans have introduced a new strategy to advance former President Donald Trump's top legislative priority, the SAVE America Act, aiming to overcome Senate procedural hurdles. The plan involves a $95 billion budget reconciliation package that includes $10 billion to incentivize states to adopt elements of the act, such as enforcing voter ID requirements and requiring proof of citizenship for identification documents.
This approach, detailed in a draft framework for a third budget reconciliation attempt, seeks to bypass the need for Democratic support by using the party-line process. While specific details are still being finalized, sources familiar with the planning indicated that the SAVE America Act itself would not be directly included in the package. Instead, the funds would be offered as grants to states that choose to implement policies aligned with the act's objectives.
The proposal faces pressure from Trump and his supporters who are urging the Senate to pass the election integrity measure. Senate Republicans have previously struggled to pass the SAVE America Act in its original form, as it was unlikely to survive scrutiny under the Senate's Byrd Rule, which governs what can be included in budget reconciliation.
"The pressure's gonna be on the Senate," Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-Ind., a member of the House Budget Committee, told Fox News Digital. "Certain senators are gonna have to find a real come-to-Jesus moment to pass the strongest reconciliation package possible."
Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., a member of the Senate Budget Committee, expressed cautious optimism, stating that a grant-like provision could potentially pass reconciliation rules if structured correctly. However, he emphasized the need for broader bipartisan support for election integrity measures, including voter ID and safeguards for mail-in ballots.
The House Administration Committee has been tasked with crafting the specific requirements for the plan and has a deadline of September 11. The House Budget Committee is expected to mark up the budget blueprint on Thursday, with GOP leaders aiming for a floor vote by the end of the following week.
House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged potential skepticism within the Republican conference regarding the budget blueprint, but expressed confidence in its passage, stating, "We'll get it done."