President Donald Trump is making it clear what he wants Congress to do when they get back from recess: pass a big defense spending bill and the SAVE America Act. And he wants it done fast.

In a Truth Social post early Tuesday, Trump praised the U.S. military's strength and morale, pointing to record recruiting numbers and the recent 250th American Independence celebration as proof that the armed forces are in top shape. But he also made it clear that good vibes aren't enough — the military needs funding.

Trump called on Congress to make Reconciliation 3.0 — which includes $350 billion for defense — and the SAVE America Act their "Number One Priority" when they return. The SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID to cast a ballot, has been a pet project for Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.

"The SAVE AMERICA ACT, which everyone is asking for, paired with the full funding of our Great Department of War, can be passed very quickly, ensuring that the United States of America stays FREE for Generations to come," Trump wrote.

Pentagon Spending Faces Pushback

Trump's call for more defense money isn't happening in a vacuum. The White House recently requested an additional $87.6 billion to fund the Iran war and other initiatives, according to Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. That includes $21 billion for the Defense Department to boost military capabilities.

Back in March, the Pentagon asked Congress for more than $200 billion specifically for the Iran conflict, saying the money was needed to sustain ongoing and future operations. Trump backed that request, noting that defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (LMT) and RTX Corporation (RTX) (which owns Raytheon) are "building at a level they’ve never seen before."

But not everyone is on board with the spending spree. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called the $1.5 trillion defense budget "fiscally irresponsible" and argued it contributes to America's internal deterioration. On the other side of the aisle, Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) criticized Trump for seeking more war funding after launching military action against Iran without congressional approval. She pointed out that the Pentagon already has a record budget and billions in unspent funds, and that taxpayers shouldn't be asked to finance more overseas conflicts.

Johnson Pushes SAVE Act Again

Speaker Mike Johnson isn't giving up on the SAVE Act. In a Sunday interview with Fox News's Shannon Bream, Johnson said the House will try again to pass the legislation through a budget reconciliation bill, which he argued offers the best path to Senate approval. He called the bill's core provisions — requiring proof of citizenship to register and a photo ID to vote — a top priority for both the House and Trump.

Johnson acknowledged that passing the measure in the Senate is an uphill battle with only 53 Republicans. He said there's "zero chance" of getting the seven Democratic votes needed to overcome a filibuster. He also accused some Democrats of tolerating election cheating because, he claimed, they can't win on their policy positions.

Whether Congress will move as quickly as Trump wants remains to be seen. But the president has made his priorities clear: more money for the military, and tighter rules for voting.