21 House Republicans Break with Trump and Johnson Over Spending Bill

A group of 21 House Republicans defied both President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday, voting against a $1.2 trillion spending package meant to avert a government shutdown citing weak immigration enforcement, lack of election integrity measures, and failure to defund Democrat pet projects.

Despite their opposition, the bill narrowly passed the House 217-214 and now heads to Trump’s desk for signature.

The Republican dissenters didn’t oppose Trump’s leadership they opposed the gutless compromise that left key conservative priorities off the table.

“BLOCKED: the inclusion of the SAVE Act to protect our elections from illegal aliens,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) wrote on X. “A top priority for conservatives.”

Massie and others had demanded that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act which would require photo ID to register to vote in federal elections be tied to the spending package. Democrats killed that push, and Republican leadership failed to fight back.

Here are the 21 Republican lawmakers who held the line:

Andy Biggs (AZ), Lauren Boebert (CO), Josh Brecheen (OK), Tim Burchett (TN), Eric Burlison (MO), Kat Cammack (FL), Eli Crane (AZ), Byron Donalds (FL), Randy Fine (FL), Brandon Gill (TX), Anna Paulina Luna (FL), Thomas Massie (KY), Cory Mills (FL), Andy Ogles (TN), Scott Perry (PA), Chip Roy (TX), David Schweikert (AZ), Keith Self (TX), Victoria Spartz (IN), Greg Steube (FL), William Timmons (SC).

Their reasons varied, but all boiled down to one thing: the bill didn’t fight hard enough for Republican voters.

• Only a two-week DHS funding extension was included Democrats blocked long-term border security funds.

• Election integrity safeguards, including voter ID mandates, were intentionally excluded.

• Left-wing earmarks made the final cut, while conservative riders were gutted.

Rep. Eric Burlison (MO) said it best: “The fact that Chuck Schumer is able to somehow get Republicans to pass a version that includes all of their stuff but only a two-week funding measure for Homeland Security—I think is a fool’s bet.”

He’s right. DHS funding has now been punted down the road, with negotiators given just two weeks to settle major disagreements primarily over ICE operations, which Democrats want to strip of enforcement power altogether. They’re pushing to:

• Ban ICE agents from wearing masks

• Eliminate roaming patrols

• Require body cams

• Increase warrant requirements

• Restrict where and how ICE can operate

Incredibly, none of these extreme demands were publicly rejected by the White House or House Democrats. Instead of pushing back, GOP leaders folded, and conservative Republicans knew it.

Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO) pulled no punches “Republicans have the trifecta and we should fund DHS at Trump levels for strong border security.”

Rep. Tim Burchett (TN) added “Trump will tell you: negotiate from power.”

It’s hard to argue with that. With control of the House, the White House, and growing momentum heading into 2026, Republicans have no excuse to kowtow to Senate Democrats. The voters didn’t deliver this majority for more of the same they want results.

This vote served as a wake-up call to GOP leadership: start fighting like you mean it or get out of the way.

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