U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) addresses reporters on the day of a House Republican Conference meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 14, 2026. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
President Donald Trump's controversial Thursday night election speech has disrupted Republican congressional strategy.
According to Politico, Trump's address created particular difficulties for House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
Republican leaders have been attempting to walk back portions of Trump's SAVE America Act, which would impose new voting restrictions on American voters. Instead, they are pushing for a "clean" spending measure, according to the report.
Among his new proposals, Johnson suggested funding the government well ahead of the normal Sept. 30 deadline and has been privately lobbying Trump for endorsement, according to Politico's anonymous sources. Johnson allegedly hopes this triggers a shutdown fight before the midterms, which would benefit Republicans politically.
"House GOP leaders are trying to put that budget resolution on the floor next week, too — setting up some serious whip operations for leaders trying to get buy-in from all corners of their conference on both measures," Politico wrote.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) further complicated matters Thursday, responding skeptically to Johnson's claims about Senate adoption of the House budget framework before the August recess, the publication added.
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