'Be Smart, Republicans': President Trump Wades Into Congressional Fight Over Continuing Resolution, SAVE Act

On Wednesday, 45th President Donald Trump took to Truth Social to call on Republican lawmakers in Congress to not support a Continuing Resolution (CR) if the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which mandates proof of citizenship when registering to vote, was not passed through Congress. The Republican candidate's message to lawmakers comes after Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) faced considerable backlash from some members after scheduling a vote on the CR with the SAVE Act attached.

"If Republicans don't get the SAVE Act, and every ounce of it, they should not agree to a Continuing Resolution in any way, shape, or form. Democrats are registering Illegal Voters by the TENS OF THOUSANDS, as we speak - They will be voting in the 2024 Presidential Election, and they shouldn't be allowed to. Only American Citizens should be voting in our Most Important Election in History, or any Election! A Vote must happen BEFORE the Election, not AFTER the Election when it is too late. BE SMART, REPUBLICANS, YOU'VE BEEN PUSHED AROUND LONG ENOUGH BY THE DEMOCRATS. DON'T LET IT HAPPEN AGAIN. Remember, this is Biden/Harris' fault, not yours!"

The House of Representatives passed the SAVE Act earlier this year, but the legislation has gone nowhere in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Speaker Johnson argues that attaching the SAVE Act to the CR is the only way for the election integrity bill to become law. "Congress has an immediate obligation to do two things: responsibly fund the federal government, and ensure the security of our elections. Because we owe this to our constituents, we will move forward on Wednesday with a vote on the 6-month CR with the SAVE Act attached," Speaker Johnson wrote on X. "I urge all of my colleagues to do what the overwhelming majority of the people of this county rightfully demand and deserve - prevent non-American citizens from voting in American elections."

While most of the Republican caucus backs the continuing resolution with the SAVE Act attached, several prominent lawmakers have taken a stand against Speaker Johnson's efforts to get the spending package through Congress. "Your bill does NOT responsibly fund government. It's 12 bills rolled into one bill that continues the profligate spending that's ruining our country. The fact that you've added a 13th bill to it does not make it a serious solution. Please quit insulting our constituents," Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote. "Like an undead but doomed zombie, the CR+Save Act is back. Speaker Johnson is fake fighting by attaching a bright, shiny object (that he will later abandon) to a bill that continues our path of destructive spending. I won't be any part of this insulting charade. I'm a hell no."

Congressman Cory Mills (R-FL) also expressed his opposition to the CR, explaining that the package would allow for funding levels to remain intact while hurting American defense. "This is not 'responsible funding' when it's at the Pelosi/COVID emergency spending levels. This is approx $2.45T annual spending, $6.3B a day in fiscally irresponsible spending/debt, $3B a day in interest payments, and a burn rate of approx $77K per second on an already $36T deficit. Lastly, it hurts our military and defense capabilities by not allowing new programs of records needed to keep up with adversarial advancement," Rep. Mills wrote. "The SAVE Act passed July 10, 2024, so attaching to the CR only guarantees it's stripped out by Senate, as they stated. Force the SAVE Act to be passed and H.R. 2 Secure The Border Act to be voted upon before sending this DC status quo CR that increases inflation and eliminates our middle class through increased costs of living."

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) voiced similar concerns with the legislation, writing, "Proud co-sponsor of the SAVE Act here… and this is Cory Mills keeping it 💯. When is business as usual in DC going to end, or is that just a campaign slogan used every two years?" With some Republicans in revolt over the legislation, Democrats have made it clear that the SAVE Act would not be a part of the CR.

"This is not going to become law," said Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA). "This is Republican theatrics that are meant to appease the most extreme members of their conference, to show them that they are working on something and that they're continuing to support the former president of the United States in his bid to demonize immigrants."

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) explained to The Associated Press that Speaker Johnson's vote on the CR would fail, and he encouraged Republican House leadership to work with Democrats to come to a bipartisan solution as the spending deadline on September 30 nears. "The only thing that will accomplish is make clear that he's running into a dead end," Schumer said. "We must have a bipartisan plan instead."

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