Senate Republicans are preparing for the likely defeat of the Trump-backed SAVE America Act while strategizing to shift blame onto Democrats for its failure.
Senate Republicans are bracing for the impending defeat of the Trump-backed voter ID legislation known as the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. As they anticipate this setback, party leaders are strategizing to assign blame to Senate Democrats for the bill’s failure.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated plans to bring the bill to the Senate floor next week. However, he acknowledged that Republicans do not have the votes necessary to initiate a talking filibuster, despite pressure from former President Donald Trump and the GOP base to pursue this route. “We don’t have the votes either to proceed, get on a talking filibuster, nor to sustain one if we got on it,” Thune stated. “But that is just a function of math, and there isn’t anything I can do about that. I mean, I understand the president’s got a passion to see this issue addressed, as we all do.”
While a lengthy debate could potentially allow Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act with a simple majority, Thune has repeatedly warned that there are not enough Republican votes to block Democratic amendments that could significantly alter the legislation. Despite this, Trump and a network of online conservative voices are insisting that the bill must pass at any cost. Trump has cautioned that failure to do so could jeopardize Republican prospects in the upcoming midterm elections. “It will guarantee the midterms. If you don’t get it, big trouble,” Trump told House Republicans at their annual policy retreat earlier this week.
Senate Democrats remain largely united in their opposition to the SAVE America Act, with the exception of Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., making its defeat in the upper chamber almost certain. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has reiterated his stance against the bill, describing it as legislation aimed at “destroying” and “purging” voter rolls nationwide. “This is a bill that destroys the country,” Schumer asserted. “And it is not about showing ID when you show up to vote.”
One potential avenue for the GOP would be to eliminate the filibuster to facilitate the passage of the SAVE America Act. Some argue that Democrats might resort to this tactic if they regain control of the Senate in the future. However, there appears to be little appetite among Republicans to dismantle the filibuster. “I suggest our first goal will be to try and pass it, but I understand how difficult that is, and I’m sympathetic with the position of not ending the filibuster,” said Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis. “But short of that, our next goal ought to be to make sure the Democrats get blamed, because they’re the ones that are truly blocking this.”
Republicans may adopt a strategy reminiscent of a talking filibuster, albeit without the extended debate and amendment votes that typically accompany such a process. Johnson, along with Senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., recently met with Trump to advocate for the SAVE America Act. Instead of a straightforward vote on the bill, Republicans could inundate the Senate floor with amendments aimed at reshaping the legislation. These amendments could include changes requested by Trump, such as limiting mail-in ballots to specific exceptions, banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports, and prohibiting transgender surgical procedures for minors. “We’re getting the Democrats on record voting, ‘Oh, you want to keep mutilating children on the altar of transgenderism,’” Johnson remarked.
Another potential pathway for the bill’s passage could involve the budget reconciliation process, which Republicans successfully employed to advance Trump’s previous legislative initiatives. Senator John Kennedy, R-La., has emerged as a prominent advocate for this approach. However, for the SAVE America Act to qualify for reconciliation, it must comply with the Byrd Rule, which stipulates that any provisions included in a reconciliation package must have a budgetary impact.
Kennedy emphasized the importance of legal expertise in navigating this process. “It really comes down to what the [Senate] parliamentarian says, and I would get the best minds I could find to try to draft a provision that would survive Byrd,” he stated. “When you argue or debate with the parliamentarian, you’ve got to be ready. You can’t just walk in there and pull it out of your orifices.”
As the Senate prepares for the upcoming vote on the SAVE America Act, the dynamics within the Republican Party and their strategies for addressing the legislation’s anticipated failure will be closely watched. The outcome may have significant implications for the party’s positioning heading into the midterm elections, as they seek to navigate the complex landscape of voter ID laws and party unity.
According to Fox News, the Republican leadership is keenly aware of the challenges ahead as they attempt to rally support for the SAVE America Act while managing the expectations of their base.