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President Donald Trump’s insistence on passing an elections overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act, has thrown the Republican agenda into chaos, leaving both chambers of Congress gridlocked and sending lawmakers home early for the July 4 recess. The turmoil has derailed bipartisan wins, including a housing affordability bill and negotiations on a critical foreign surveillance program.
In recent weeks, Trump has turned would-be Republican victories into political liabilities Source: CNBC. On June 24, he abruptly canceled the signing of a widely supported housing bill aimed at boosting supply and affordability, a move that infuriated many GOP members. Simultaneously, Trump’s demand for the SAVE Act—a voter ID and noncitizen voting bill lacking sufficient support—has paralyzed the House, with hardliners blocking other legislation until it passes Source: CNN. The Senate also left town early after frustration mounted.
GOP lawmakers have voiced growing anger. Rep. Don Bacon called Trump’s handling of the housing bill “destructive” and “a mistake” Source: CNBC. Rep. Thomas Massie labeled the SAVE Act fixation a “distraction” that will cost the party in the midterms Source: CNN. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick noted that the housing bill enjoyed overwhelming bipartisan support, underscoring the frustration Source: CNBC. Rep. Troy Nehls summed up the mood: “I’m flying home a day early because we couldn’t get our act together” Source: CNN.
Leadership is struggling to find a path forward, with no clear resolution in sight. Some Republicans hope Trump will relent to protect the party’s slim majorities, but the president shows no signs of backing down . The stalemate threatens to further erode GOP credibility ahead of November’s midterms.
““He’s been destructive,” Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said of Trump’s handling of the housing bill. “He had a good bill that he could have signed and couldn’t take a win.””
““The problem is not the election. We won the damn elections. The problem is, we’re wasting our opportunity that the voters gave us. And the Republicans are going to pay for that in November.” — Rep. Thomas Massie”
““You had 85% of voting House members support it. You had 90% of voting Senate members support it. You can’t get that on the naming of a post office, let alone a comprehensive housing affordability package.” — Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick”
““I’m flying home a day early because we couldn’t get our act together,” Rep. Troy Nehls fumed as he departed the Capitol.”