Rep. Jody Arrington says "reconciliation 3.0" will use incentives to advance SAVE Act goals, voter-ID and fraud measures

Rep. Jody Arrington, chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, said Republicans are working on a "reconciliation 3.0" legislative package that would prioritize defense spending, lower everyday costs and target what he described as fraud and waste.

"The Byrd rule central to that is a material budget impact," Arrington said, arguing that the SAVE Act — a federal mandate in its original form — could be converted into an incentive-grant program for states to implement measures such as voter ID and other safeguards. "Providing incentive monies to states in support of them implementing the component parts ... can be put into a grant program," he said, citing Representative Styles as having already introduced related legislation.

Arrington framed the approach as a way to avoid the 60-vote Senate threshold that a federal mandate would require, and as the only viable legislative option, between now and the November elections, to advance Republican priorities. He said the House is "90% of the way there" and expressed confidence that if the House unifies behind the package, the Senate will follow. "Wehave to move expeditiously to get the 3.0 in a place where we're done by September," he said.

On political messaging and program costs, Arrington cited a Government Accountability Office figure, saying "$500 billion ... in fraud," and described that loss as a major driver for the package. He presented the incentives approach as a potential way to get states led by Democrats to implement safeguards by "dangling some money in front of them." He also tied housing, FISA and other items into the bargaining mix with House leadership and the White House, saying some pieces (including housing) could move after discussions with Speaker Johnson.

The host pressed whether such measures would restrict voting to U.S. citizens; Arrington defended requiring ID as a basic safeguard "like you do to get on a plane or check in a hotel," and urged Republicans to treat the package as a unifying response to policies he criticized from the Biden administration.

No formal motions or votes were taken during the interview. Arrington said he expected significant parts of the legislation to be advanced before the August recess and completed by September if House members who represent competitive districts can be brought aboard. The interview concluded with the host thanking Chairman Arrington.