Speaker Mike Johnson frames defense priorities, says Save America Act will be merged onto NDAA

Speaker Mike Johnson outlined his top priorities for the coming legislative week and defended Republican plans to attach the Save America Act to the National Defense Authorization Act.

Speaking on the House floor, Speaker Mike Johnson said the celebration of the nation’s semi‑quincentennial underscored founding principles and the need for a robust defense posture. "We will pass a rule today. We'll set up a National Defense Authorization Act," he said, adding that the chamber plans to include a troop pay raise and other readiness measures.

Johnson told reporters the Save America Act — described by him as a package addressing voter verification and citizenship documentation — will be transmitted to the Senate as part of the NDAA. "Let's send it again, but put it as part of something that we hope and believe will be a bipartisan vote in both chambers," he said.

The speaker also addressed recent Supreme Court decisions released that morning. He said he had "a quick time to review" some opinions and expressed disappointment with a close ruling about counting ballots, calling it a decision that risked public confidence in elections. On other rulings, he said the outcome on protections for biological categories in athletics "sounds like the right result." He added that further review was necessary.

Johnson took questions about the prolonged absence of Rep. Tom Kean Jr., saying Kean "has a health condition" and that he encouraged Kean to be transparent with constituents while respecting privacy: "I think he'll get a lot of empathy because it's something that's very, very common." He said staff had been serving constituents during Kean's absence.

On a separate procedural issue, Johnson explained why certain pension‑related amendments (the Delphi matter) were not made in order, citing a point of order that those provisions constituted appropriations on an authorizing measure. He said staff and House leaders were "working on that" and that conferees had addressed the problem.

When pressed about the housing bill and whether President’s comments signaled a lack of support, Johnson said the president prioritizes election integrity but also understands housing affordability. "The president certainly understands the importance of affordable housing," Johnson said, and he urged the president to sign the bill if it reaches his desk.

The session featured brief remarks from Congresswoman Beth Van Dyne, who marked the anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts and described the changes as tax relief for low‑income and tipped workers, and a short speech by a Louisiana congressional leader who said about 30 million Americans benefited from changes to tip and overtime taxation.

The speaker concluded by reiterating that defense, troop pay and election integrity were top priorities for the House this week and said he expected action on those items as lawmakers returned to regular business.

The availability concluded with the speaker inviting additional review of Supreme Court opinions and wishing those present a happy July 4.