'It's a circus': Republicans have big doubts about their newest reconciliation bill

With just four legislative days until the House breaks for its long August recess, Republicans are racing against the clock to advance their latest reconciliation bill this week. Lawmakers are skeptical they can get it done.

In the House, Republicans are struggling to unite their razor-thin majority on such a tight timeline. In the Senate, the questions about whether the GOP can pass this reconciliation bill are more like doubts.

On both sides of the Capitol, Republicans are naming their price for supporting the package — spending cuts, a stronger version of the SAVE America Act, provisions to defund Planned Parenthood and plenty of parochial asks — making an already difficult effort even harder.

The House kicked off the effort last week, unveiling a $95 billion budget resolution aimed at funding the Iran war, implementing parts of the SAVE America Act and addressing some affordability concerns nationwide.

It's the party's latest attempt at passing the GOP voting bill after the measure twice failed to overcome the Senate's 60-vote filibuster and the Senate parliamentarian ruled that its current language isn't compliant with the strict reconciliation rules.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who frequently breaks from the GOP, told MS NOW last week he's "probably a no," raising concerns that the ultimate package would become "a slush fund for funding the war in Iran."

The inclusion of the SAVE America Act is causing problems for other Republicans — just for a different reason.

After the Senate parliamentarian ruled against including the SAVE America Act in reconciliation, Johnson floated a workaround. He proposed creating a federal fund that states could draw from to implement voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements.

To some Republicans, however, that's not a suitable option.

"If it's really gonna be language that just is bribing the states, like with a few million bucks, I don't think that's strong enough," Burlison told reporters.

Another House Republican said the SAVE America Act provisions were "100% snake oil."

"Nothing in the bill is enforceable when it comes to the SAVE Act," the lawmaker said. "It's a complete falsehood. It's very troubling."

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., meanwhile, took aim at the proposal potentially including language pertaining to the SAVE America Act. If the package includes any language related to the voting bill, Tillis told reporters he'll "absolutely" vote against it.

"And I'll slow other things down, too," he said. "It's a waste of time. It's an exercise in futility, and those are the only positive things I can think of to say about it."

Still, there are some Republicans who are optimistic.

Asked about the reconciliation push, one member summed it up this way: "It's a circus."