President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Senate Majority Leader John Thune cancel the chamber’s Aug. 7 recess until senators pass a proof-of-citizenship voting bill, the SAVE America Act, according to a post Trump made on social media and comments he made to reporters.
Trump also urged Thune to scrap the legislative filibuster or find another way to pass the bill, writing that Thune should not allow the Senate to “leave town” until the measure is approved. He told reporters Monday that he has a good relationship with Thune but that the majority leader “has got to get his job done,” according to his remarks.
Thune has repeatedly said Republicans do not have the votes to advance the SAVE America Act or to change Senate rules to overcome the filibuster, according to his public statements. Thune has kept the bill on the floor at times to build support but has been unable to secure the 60 votes typically needed to move most legislation in the 100-member Senate.
Conservative senators, led by Utah Sen. Mike Lee, have increased pressure on Thune. Lee warned on social media that how Republicans handle the bill “could impact not only the November midterm elections, but also the Senate GOP leadership elections,” writing that “leaders must lead.” House Republicans last week approved a budget framework that included $10 billion for voting-related changes aligned with the SAVE America Act, a move designed to create a reconciliation path that would require only a simple majority. Thune has said Republicans do not currently have the votes for that approach either.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote, typically a U.S. passport or birth certificate, and a valid photo ID to cast a ballot, provisions supporters say would secure elections, according to supporters’ descriptions. Voting experts have said the bill could disenfranchise as many as 20 million Americans who do not have the required documents readily available, according to public commentary from those experts. Trump has made the legislation a top priority and said it would “guarantee the midterms,” according to his statements.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
