(NewsNation) — A standoff among House Republicans is intensifying as Rep. Anna Paulina Luna vows to continue blocking floor action over the SAVE America Act, despite pressure from party leadership and a public call from President Donald Trump to reopen proceedings.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise told NewsNation leadership is working to resolve the impasse.

Senate Republicans are scrambling for a strategy to pass the election reform bill, along with $67 billion to $350 billion in defense spending. Democrats are dead set against the bill, which they say would effectively disenfranchise millions of Americans.

Republicans would have to eliminate the filibuster to overcome Democratic opposition in the Senate.

Luna vows to continue blockade despite Trump pushback

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., is leading an effort to halt routine House business in protest, aiming to pressure the Senate into passing the SAVE America Act.

Last week, she used procedural measures to block a rule vote that would allow for legislative business to proceed.

“It actually cannot be done on reconciliation, and they know that,” Luna told NewsNation in response to Scalise. “The only thing that can potentially be done on reconciliation, which I’m hopeful for, is to purge the voter rules for states. So, to say that to all Save America is a disingenuous argument.”

She told NewsNation she does not plan to relent, even after Trump urged Republicans to stop blocking the floor. Luna said she believes Trump ultimately supports her position and strategy.

Scalise said he’s been in touch with Luna to try to find a solution.

“We’re working through that,” he told NewsNation. “We’ve got an agenda that’s really important this week, including the NDAA, that we need to get done. We’re gonna work to get the, you know, get the bills moving again.”

“The answer to problems in the Senate is not shutting down the House,” Scalise added.

Dispute over SAVE Act strategy and Senate hurdles

House Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested the bill could move through budget reconciliation.

Luna, however, disputes that approach, arguing the Senate parliamentarian would likely strip the measure.

“It’s not a House rule, but it’s not going to survive unless we put it on a must-pass piece of legislation as a vehicle,” noted Luna.

She added that no one from House leadership has contacted her directly about ending the blockade.

Scalise, however, said leadership has been working to engage with Luna and others involved.

President Donald Trump over the weekend implored Congress to get the floor back open to restart discussions to get the bill passed.

“Look, we want to get the Save America Act passed,” added Scalise. “We passed it multiple times. We’re trying to get it on a reconciliation bill. 
You can’t do that if they’re shutting the floor down. There are clear problems in the Senate. The answer to problems in the Senate is not shutting down the House.”

The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to vote and that voters show a photo ID at polling places.

The photo ID requirement would also change the way voters cast ballots by mail.

The Hill contributed to this report.