SouthernWorldwide.com – Despite a significant Republican dissent, President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act has shown signs of renewed momentum in the Senate.
Senate Republicans encountered difficulties in advancing President Donald Trump’s proposed voter ID and citizenship verification bill. However, a late-night vote in the Senate has injected some life into an initiative previously considered stalled.
During the Senate’s extensive “vote-a-rama,” a procedural marathon aimed at advancing the GOP’s $70 billion immigration enforcement package, Republicans made two attempts to attach the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. Both attempts were unsuccessful.
A faction of Republicans joined Senate Democrats in blocking these efforts. The amendments, proposed by Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Mike Lee of Utah, were always destined to fail due to the filibuster rule, which requires a supermajority to overcome.
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Senator Graham’s proposal was to attach a modified version of the SAVE America Act. This version included several policy additions, such as a ban on men participating in women’s sports, which President Trump had demanded months prior.
Four Republican Senators—Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina—voted against Graham’s amendment. Their opposition meant the amendment did not even secure 50 votes, a necessary prerequisite for success if Republicans were to initiate a talking filibuster.
However, Senator Lee’s attempt to attach the original version of the SAVE America Act did reach the 50-vote threshold. Notably, Senator Collins switched her vote to support Lee’s proposal.
Senator Lee expressed his satisfaction with this outcome on X shortly after the vote, even as the vote-a-rama continued. He highlighted that with Vice President JD Vance potentially casting a deciding 51st vote, the SAVE America Act could indeed pass.
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“This means that, were it not for the Zombie Filibuster, the House-passed SAVE America Act would now be on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature,” Lee stated.
This moment was considered a significant victory for the legislation, which had been languishing in the Senate for several months.
Conservative lawmakers like Senator Lee have been urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota to initiate a talking filibuster. The strategy would involve continuously debating the bill to wear down Senate Democrats and pass the legislation with a simple majority.
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However, Senator Thune has hesitated to proceed. He is concerned that Republicans might not remain unified, potentially leading to a barrage of Democratic amendments that could significantly alter the legislation or undermine other aspects of President Trump’s agenda.
Senate Republicans did attempt a partial floor takeover in March to debate the SAVE America Act. However, the momentum behind that push has since considerably diminished.
Another option available to Republicans would be to eliminate the filibuster entirely, a move President Trump has repeatedly advocated for during his second term.
This is another area where Republicans lack a unified stance. Many fear that such a drastic measure could have negative repercussions if Democrats regain control of the Senate.
President Trump has also directed his criticism towards the Senate’s rules referee, Parliamentarian Elizabeth Macdonough. She had previously ruled that the SAVE America Act did not qualify to be included in the immigration package with a 50-vote threshold. Trump has called for Thune to dismiss her on several occasions in recent months.
“We have every right to change her, and should do so, IMMEDIATELY,” Trump declared on Truth Social. “As long as she’s there, we will never get our desperately needed, SAVE AMERICA ACT, approved, and put into full force and effect!”
However, similar to the options of a talking filibuster or eliminating the filibuster altogether, this is a step Senator Thune is not rushing to take.
“That’s not a new request, as you all know, and as is typically the case, the parliamentarian, the rulings break both ways,” Thune commented. “And, you know, we lose a few, we win a few, but that’s been true when Democrats have been in the majority, too.”
