A nasty feud over President Donald Trump’s elections overhaul push has further crippled an already-dysfunctional Congress, leaving Republicans unable to move on critical elements of their agenda.
Weeks of tumult fueled by Trump’s demands for the bill forced Speaker Mike Johnson to send his members home early on Thursday because of a GOP rebellion over it on the floor. Johnson may have to cancel next week too with his leadership team privately seeing no way out, sources tell CNN — while members are livid.
UNITED STATES - JUNE 25: Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, leaves the U.S. Capitol after the last votes of the week on Thursday, June 25, 2026. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images) Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images
“I’m flying home a day early because we couldn’t get our act together,” Rep. Troy Nehls fumed as he departed the Capitol.
Another Republican, outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie, was even more blunt, calling Trump’s fixation on the voter ID and proof-of-citizenship bill a “distraction” that will cost the party big in the midterms.
