House Republicans appear to be softening their standoff with the Senate over the SAVE America Act after approving legislation supported by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, even as some conservative lawmakers warn that momentum behind the election integrity measure is fading.
On Wednesday, the House passed the Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act, with 176 Republicans voting in favor of the bill. The vote came just one week after tensions flared between House conservatives and Senate leadership over priorities in Congress. Some House Republicans had previously suggested they might block Senate-backed legislation until the SAVE America Act receives a vote in the upper chamber.
The SAVE America Act has been strongly supported by President Donald Trump, who has urged Congress for weeks to move the legislation forward as part of the Republican Party’s election integrity agenda. The bill would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, including for those registering by mail. It would also mandate photo identification for federal elections and require states to verify voter rolls and remove non-citizens.
It’s time to pass the Save America Act.
The overwhelming majority of the American people want this commonsense election integrity law passed immediately! https://t.co/DAA5KgoEN7 pic.twitter.com/iPCzpBx44w
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) March 5, 2026
Despite widespread Republican support, the House vote revealed some internal divisions. Thirty-nine Republican lawmakers voted against the tribal land bill, including several members of the House Freedom Caucus (HFC), who argued the chamber should not prioritize other legislation until the SAVE America Act advances.
The Freedom Caucus voiced its frustration in a post on X, criticizing House leadership for moving forward with a Senate priority while the election bill remains stalled.
“Last week, President Trump said we must pass the SAVE America Act before Congress does anything else,” the caucus wrote. “The House did our job but the Senate is dragging its feet. So why did the House just pass Leader John Thune’s tribal housing bill today? The House should refuse all further Senate priorities until they bring the SAVE America Act to the floor.”
Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy echoed those concerns, questioning why Congress is focusing on other legislation instead of election reforms.
“Why are the Senate and House focused on tribal land ownership instead of securing America’s elections?” Roy said. “The House should halt consideration of Majority Leader Thune’s niche priorities until the SAVE America Act is passed and delivered to President Trump’s desk.”
Last week, President Trump said we must pass the #SaveAmericaAct before Congress does anything else. The House did our job but the Senate is dragging its feet.
So why did the House just pass @LeaderJohnThune’s tribal housing bill today?
The House should refuse all further…
— House Freedom Caucus (@freedomcaucus) March 4, 2026
The White House has maintained that the election legislation remains a priority even as attention has recently shifted toward escalating tensions with Iran. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a Wednesday briefing that the administration is continuing to push for passage of the SAVE America Act.
“Trump is very much continuing to focus on the issues that matter here at home for the American people, including the passage of the SAVE Act,” Leavitt said.
Although the measure has support from several Senate Republicans, including Thune, it has not yet been brought to the Senate floor for a vote.
Some conservative lawmakers warn that continued delays could weaken the push for election reforms. Oklahoma Republican Rep. Josh Brecheen said the legislation risks losing momentum if the Senate continues to postpone action.
“The Save America Act is currently dying a slow death in the Senate,” Brecheen said. “Every day this legislation is delayed is another day that the integrity of American elections is put at stake.”
“[Trump] is very much continuing to focus on the issues that matter here at home for the American people, including the passage of the SAVE Act,” @PressSec tells me about the president managing the Iran-U.S. conflict + domestic issues.
On the SAVE Act, Leavitt says it is still… pic.twitter.com/zmC3nNEQzJ
— Reagan Reese (@reaganreese_) March 4, 2026
North Carolina Republican Rep. Mark Harris also criticized Senate Republicans, arguing that election integrity should be Congress’s top priority.
“When did the Senate’s priorities go out the window?” Harris asked. “Nothing else should come before this.”
South Carolina Republican Rep. Ralph Norman added that Senate leadership should focus on the issues voters care about rather than advancing what he described as less urgent legislation.
Several House Republicans have reportedly urged Speaker Mike Johnson to pressure Senate leaders to bring the SAVE America Act to a vote. Lawmakers such as Wisconsin Rep. Derrick Van Orden and Texas Rep. Brandon Gill warned that failing to act on election security could dampen Republican enthusiasm heading into the upcoming midterm elections.
