The GOP isn’t playing about upcoming elections.
House Republicans are preparing a high-stakes move that could complicate ongoing government funding talks unless Senate Democrats agree to take up a major election integrity measure.
Several House conservatives are urging leadership to attach the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act to a short-term spending package expected to move through the Senate and land in the House in the coming days.
The SAVE Act, which passed the House earlier this year, would require proof of U.S. citizenship when Americans register to vote. Supporters argue the measure is a common-sense safeguard designed to protect election integrity and restore public confidence in federal elections.
Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said the Senate has repeatedly blocked conservative election reforms, making it unlikely the bill would survive as a standalone vote.
According to Luna, attaching the legislation to must-pass funding is the only realistic way to force Senate action.
She declined to provide an exact number of lawmakers backing the strategy but said the group is large enough to disrupt House proceedings if their concerns are ignored.
Several Republicans, Luna said, have made clear they will oppose spending legislation that does not include the SAVE Act—particularly bills tied to appropriations and ongoing government operations.
South Carolina Rep. William Timmons echoed that sentiment, saying Republicans should not hesitate to apply pressure if Democrats are willing to risk another government shutdown.
Timmons said voters deserve clarity on responsibility if funding negotiations collapse, adding that Americans expect Congress to do its job rather than engage in political brinkmanship.
The dispute comes as the House prepares to consider a Senate funding proposal that would keep most federal agencies operating through the end of fiscal year 2026.
Senate Democrats recently walked away from a broader bipartisan funding agreement following controversy tied to President Donald Trump’s expanded federal law enforcement response to immigration-related unrest in Minneapolis.
Democrats threatened to block the larger spending package unless funding for the Department of Homeland Security was separated from the rest of the bill.
Under the current proposal, most federal departments would remain funded through September 30, while DHS would receive a short-term extension as lawmakers negotiate new enforcement guidelines.
Some House conservatives have already expressed concerns about the structure of the deal, making bipartisan support likely necessary for final passage.
It remains unclear whether Democrats would support a revised bill if election integrity language is added.
At the same time, House leadership faces a narrow margin. Speaker Mike Johnson will need near-unanimous Republican support to clear a procedural rule vote, a critical step that allows debate and a final vote on the measure.
A small group of Republicans could block that vote, potentially extending a partial government shutdown currently expected to begin January 31.
Leadership could attempt to bypass the rule vote by using a fast-track process that requires a higher vote threshold, though that option carries political risks within the conference.
If House Republicans succeed in attaching the SAVE Act, the revised funding bill would be sent back to the Senate—setting the stage for another confrontation over election security, government funding, and accountability in Washington.
