With one week remaining before the House adjourns for its August recess, Speaker Mike Johnson aims to advance several priorities including additional defense funding, an election integrity measure and a stock trading ban for lawmakers.
The House faces a packed agenda amid a narrow Republican majority and midterm elections just months away. Johnson seeks progress on a $95 billion reconciliation bill for defense spending, the president's SAVE America Act requiring voter identification and proof of citizenship, and a measure extending government funding past the November election.
Republicans face internal divisions over the lack of spending offsets for new defense costs and objections to the stock trading ban, which permits members to retain existing holdings. The Senate requires 60 votes for most measures, leaving only 53 Republicans and limiting prospects for passage.
President Trump has emphasized the SAVE America Act as his top priority, citing concerns over election fraud. Democrats oppose the bill and share some Republican reservations about the trading restrictions.
Republican strategist Rob Burgess noted the arithmetic challenges but stressed the need to support troops and secure elections before the recess.
