Senate Republicans Struggle with Trump’s SAVE America Act

Senate Republicans have faced challenges in moving forward with President Donald Trump’s voter ID and citizenship verification bill. A late-night Senate vote offered some hope for the issue, previously considered inactive. During a marathon ‘vote-a-rama’ session to promote the GOP’s $70 billion immigration enforcement package, Republicans attempted to attach the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act twice. Both attempts failed, with a mix of Republicans and Senate Democrats blocking the effort.

The amendments from Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah required overcoming a filibuster. Despite these challenges, Sen. Graham aimed to attach a modified SAVE America Act, which included policy additions like barring men from women’s sports, as requested by Trump months ago.

Four Republicans, including Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, voted against the proposal. Their votes were crucial, as the bill needed at least 50 votes for a potential talking filibuster. However, Sen. Lee’s version did reach 50 votes, aided by Collins switching her support to the original SAVE America Act. Lee celebrated on social media, noting Vice President JD Vance’s role as a possible tie-breaking vote.

This outcome was a significant boost for the legislation, which had stagnated in the Senate for months. Conservative senators like Lee have urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota to initiate a talking filibuster to pressure Senate Democrats and pass the bill with a simple majority.

However, Thune has hesitated, fearing that Republicans might not stand united against an influx of Democratic amendments that could alter the legislation or affect Trump’s agenda. Though Senate Republicans made a concerted effort to debate the SAVE America Act in March, that drive has largely faded.

An alternative for Republicans is to eliminate the filibuster, which Trump has periodically demanded during his second term. This approach remains controversial among Republicans, with concerns about potential repercussions if Democrats regain control of the Senate.

Trump has also shifted his criticism toward Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth Macdonough, who ruled that the SAVE America Act did not meet criteria to be part of the immigration bill at a 50-vote threshold. Trump urged Thune to remove Macdonough, stating that her presence hinders the approval of the SAVE America Act.

Though Trump emphasizes the need for change, Thune remains cautious. ‘That’s not a new request,’ Thune acknowledged, noting that rulings have varied under both Republican and Democratic majorities. The ongoing struggle reflects the complexity and divisiveness surrounding the SAVE America Act in the Senate.