House Republican leaders abruptly canceled votes on major legislation Tuesday and sent lawmakers home early for a nearly two-week recess after a group of Republicans blocked action on the House floor.
Politico reported the rebellion centered largely on frustration over the stalled SAVE America Act, one of President Donald Trump's top priorities, along with other issues involving immigration legislation.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., argued that House leaders should attach the SAVE America Act directly to the National Defense Authorization Act instead of relying on a procedural maneuver.
"The current plan being proposed by HOUSE GOP to 'MIRV' NDAA + SAVE AMERICA is a procedural head fake," Luna wrote on X. "This does not do anything but guarantee the Senate will EASILY TAKE OUT SAVE America from the NDAA."
Luna urged House leadership to allow an amendment attaching voter ID and proof-of-citizenship provisions directly to the defense bill.
She added that her approach would make it more difficult for the Senate to remove the language.
The dispute helped derail a procedural rule governing floor debate. The measure failed 224-198 after 14 Republicans joined Democrats in opposition, prompting House leaders to postpone votes and begin the Independence Day recess early.
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., had said earlier Tuesday that Republicans would continue negotiations in hopes of completing work before lawmakers left Washington.
Instead, the House postponed consideration of the annual defense authorization bill, the fiscal 2027 State Department appropriations bill, and other legislation.
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, said the lack of action on immigration legislation was the primary reason he opposed the procedural rule.
"We certainly didn't see either committee action or floor action on it," said House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris, R-Md. "That disappointed a number of people, myself included."
Other disagreements also contributed to the failed vote, including disputes over amendments to the defense bill.
Roy later posted: "I remain hopeful we can move forward soon with a productive, conservative agenda. Authorizing our Department of War and strengthening our national defense are essential, but House Leadership must first demonstrate that it is serious about delivering on the commitments it has made."
The impasse extends a slowdown in House floor business that began last week as Republican leaders searched for enough support to advance their agenda.
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