Mike Johnson Can’t Get Control of the House

A group of House Republicans blocked votes on a must-pass defense bill and other items with demands for votes on their policy wish lists.

Republican members of Congress reach to shake hands with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson.

A growing group of conservative dissidents blocked a procedural vote on Tuesday that would have allowed GOP leaders to bring up a must-pass $1.15 trillion defense policy bill on the floor this week. Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

House lawmakers will start their July 4 holiday early after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) lost control of the chamber for a second straight week.

A growing group of conservative dissidents blocked a procedural vote on Tuesday that would have allowed GOP leaders to bring up a must-pass $1.15 trillion defense policy bill on the floor this week. The revolt started last week, when allies of President Donald Trump froze the floor, demanding passage of the SAVE America Act in the Senate, as a condition of voting on any legislation in the House.

That bill requires proof of citizenship for those registering to vote and includes changes to mail-in voting laws, and it’s become Trump’s top legislative priority.