House Republicans release budget reconciliation bill without Trump's voter ID provision

Jul 17, 2026

House Republicans released a continuing resolution to fund the government until December 4, aiming to avert a shutdown before the midterm elections. The bill notably omits President Trump's demanded SAVE America Act, a controversial voter restriction bill, despite his public orders to include it. Trump has made the act's passage a condition for his support on all legislation, previously stalling other major bills.

Continuing resolution release

▪The goal of the resolution is to avoid a government shutdown before the midterm elections, as the current funding deadline is September 30.
▪House Republicans released a continuing resolution on July 17, 2026, to fund the federal government.
▪House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to bring the resolution for a floor vote in the upcoming week.
▪The legislation aims to extend government funding at current levels until December 4, 2026.

Trump's SAVE Act demands

▪The continuing resolution released by House Republicans omits Donald Trump's demanded SAVE America Act.
▪On July 16, 2026, Donald Trump publicly ordered his congressional allies to include the SAVE America Act in the government funding bill.
▪Donald Trump has made his support for any legislation conditional on the passage of the SAVE America Act.
▪Donald Trump has described mail-in voting as "crooked" and "corrupt," despite having used it himself.

Voter ID requirements

▪Critics argued the registration requirements would restrict millions of voters, noting half of the U.S. population lacks a passport.
▪The bill also proposed requiring voters to present photo identification when casting a ballot.
▪The SAVE America Act would require voters to present a passport or birth certificate to register to vote.
▪The SAVE America Act included a provision for a total ban on mail-in voting.

Legislative stalemate impact

▪On July 16, 2026, the House Budget Committee advanced a separate $95 billion framework.
▪Trump's insistence on the SAVE Act has previously stalled efforts to fund the Department of Homeland Security and pass the National Defense Authorization Act.
▪The earlier framework included $73 billion for defense, $12 billion for farm aid, and $10 billion for tightening voting rules.
▪The defense funding is intended to cover military costs more than four months into the war with Iran.