Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she will attach the SAVE Act to the National Defense Authorization Act, bypassing a standalone vote and defying calls from President Donald Trump to avoid delays on other legislation.
Luna told reporters on Sunday night that she plans to introduce amendments to the NDAA, a major annual defense bill scheduled for Rules Committee review on Monday.
The move comes days after Trump urged House Republicans to stop blocking bills over the voter integrity measure.
The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship and photo identification to register and vote in federal elections.
Acceptable documents include passports, birth certificates, or REAL IDs. Student IDs and utility bills would not qualify.
Amendment Plan Targets Defense Bill
Luna’s amendments are expected to appear on the Rules Committee website by 2 p.m. Monday. She described the NDAA as the right vehicle to pass the full SAVE Act language.
“We don’t call it obstruction, we call it how the sausage is made,” Luna said. “DC legislation is a messy thing, but we always get it done.”
Also Read: Trump Refuses to Sign Housing Bill Until Senate Passes SAVE Act
She also prepared a backup amendment offering a more moderate version: voter ID combined with proof of citizenship requirements.
Luna made the comments on the red carpet at the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on June 28, 2026.
Trump Shifts After Meeting With Johnson
Trump had linked passage of the SAVE Act to support for a housing bill last week, threatening to hold up the measure. He met with House Speaker Mike Johnson on Thursday and later posted on Truth Social calling for unity and an end to “grandstanding.”
“Giving power to the Radical Left Democrats in the House to control what goes up for a Vote will make our outcomes worse, not better,” Trump wrote.
Johnson, appearing on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, said the House has passed the SAVE Act three times. This time, Republicans plan to attach it to a reconciliation bill to avoid the 60-vote threshold in the Senate.
“It prevents the necessity of 60 votes in the Senate,” Johnson said. “The Democrats want no part of this. We’re just going to make sure you have to have proof of citizenship to register to vote and then show an ID when you turn out at the ballot box.”
Also Read: Trump Now Eyes Senate Shortcut for SAVE Act as GOP Divisions Deepen
Johnson directly addressed Luna’s earlier threats to stall other bills. He said he told her and other members that shutting down House work makes no sense when Senate Democrats oppose the measure.
Bill Faces Senate Hurdles
The SAVE Act cleared a procedural test vote in the Senate in March but has been viewed as dead on arrival in its original form. Republicans hold a slim majority in the Senate, short of the votes needed to overcome a filibuster without reconciliation.
Luna said her task this week is to deliver the legislation, which she called an “80-20 issue” with broad public support.
Some House Republicans had privately told reporters last week that blocking other bills was not the best strategy. Luna indicated she would stand down if her amendment receives consideration.
Trump and Johnson presented a united front after their Thursday meeting. Johnson noted he was standing next to Trump when the Truth Social post was made.
