DORAL, Florida — Despite President Donald Trump's forceful push for the SAVE America Act as his primary legislative agenda for 2026, House Republicans seem to have other plans. The Act, aimed at overhauling GOP election laws, has already undergone two iterations but failed to ignite unanimous support within the party.

At the annual Republican policy retreat held at Trump’s Miami-area golf resort, discussions led by Speaker Mike Johnson largely bypassed the president's top priority. Instead, the focus was on a list of legislation deemed more likely to pass — including federal surveillance powers, water projects, highway infrastructure, and a streamlined farm bill, all of which are expected to draw some level of bipartisan support.

Johnson's response to a remark by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who had suggested the House send another revised version of the SAVE America Act to the Senate, was telling. “Did he say that?” Johnson questioned, adding, “Careful what you wish for.” This interaction hints at the internal resistance the bill faces, compounded by the controversial proposal to nearly eliminate mail voting — a provision many within the party oppose.

The retreat also spotlighted strategy discussions for the upcoming midterms, with Johnson and other leaders attempting to align on policy measures through what he described as a “Venn diagram” of universally agreeable issues. However, the reality of a thin majority casts doubt on the feasibility of such alignment, as noted by House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole, who highlighted the challenge in rallying the necessary votes.

Adding to the legislative complexities, discussions at the retreat included potential uses of the budget reconciliation process to bypass Democratic filibuster without settling on specific policy priorities. Budget Chair Jodey Arrington shared a preliminary list of possible spending cut targets but indicated it was too early to commence the formal reconciliation process.

Amid these legislative maneuvers, Trump's top political aide, James Blair, advised House Republicans to humanize their campaign approach by showcasing personal stories of constituents benefiting from tax cuts. Blair’s guidance came as part of broader discussions on retaining the fragile majority, with specific emphasis on moderating hard-line immigration rhetoric to avoid alienating key voter segments, especially within the Hispanic community.

As the retreat concluded, the discord between Trump’s legislative demands and the House Republicans' strategic focus was apparent. Johnson’s acknowledgment of the need for a “course-correction” in response to concerns about the administration's immigration policies underscores the ongoing challenges within the party as they navigate a complex political landscape ahead of the midterms.