Donald Trump tells House Republicans: SAVE America Act will ‘guarantee the midterms’
President Trump demanded House Republicans pass the SAVE America Act, claiming the voting restrictions bill will “guarantee the midterms” and threatening to block all other legislation until it passes. The measure requires proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote, cleared the House in February with a 218-213 vote, and stalled in the Senate where Democrats oppose it as voter suppression. Trump instructed Republicans to expand the bill with provisions banning mail-in voting except for illness, disability, military service, or travel, and prohibiting transgender athletes from women’s sports.
Trump declared at the House GOP annual conference in Florida that supporters demand the bill, stating “The people are demanding it. Every time I go out, save America! Save America!” He added that passage will secure Republican victories in midterms and future elections. Trump refused compromise, instructing Republicans to “go for the gold” and reject any watered-down version, saying “I’m not going to sign anything until this is approved.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer characterized the measure as “Jim Crow 2.0” that would disenfranchise tens of millions, stating Senate Democrats will not support it under any circumstances. Senate Majority Leader John Thune previously warned that forcing a voting rights blockade would derail government funding legislation and bipartisan housing affordability bills. On Monday, Thune called a talking filibuster “much more complicated and risky than people are assuming.”
Trump and Republican allies have pressured Thune to invoke a talking filibuster to bypass Democratic opposition, which would require continuous floor speeches before allowing a 51-vote passage. Trump stated Monday the Senate must approve the bill, saying “they’re going to have to go the filibuster, and maybe it’s going to be the talking filibuster.” This demand weaponizes the legislative process to strip voting protections after Trump previously threatened to bypass Congress on voter identification.