Senators ended a lengthy standoff over President Trump’s demands for a voting bill during the early hours on Saturday. The session closed without passing the SAVE America Act, which would require strict proof-of-citizenship for voting. Instead, Republican senators proposed incorporating parts of the bill into a broader budget plan when sessions resume in September.
Republican Senators Ron Johnson, Mike Lee, and Rick Scott consulted with Trump about the new strategy. “With the president at his direction, this is what he wants to do,” Johnson stated after the call, emphasizing Trump’s influence on Congress’s agenda.
Despite Trump’s demands, including calls to bypass Senate filibuster rules, the support needed from both Republicans and Democrats was lacking. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, balancing Trump’s expectations with political realities, noted attempts to meet Trump’s demands amid GOP challenges, especially Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell’s absence.
During the lengthy session, Thune advanced several Trump priorities. These included confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General, enacting Russian sanctions aiding Ukraine, and passing a bipartisan package to fund the government into December. Efforts to advance a pared-down voting bill mandating voter IDs failed, largely along party lines.
Pressure to pass the SAVE America Act grew online among Trump’s allies. Thune met with Republican senators to address the deepening standoff. The lack of progress served as a rallying point for activists and senators leading the push. A meeting with Trump and the subsequent discussions highlighted the political reality acknowledged by Senators like Mike Lee, who, despite disappointment, understood the limits faced.
At daybreak, despite some objections, the Senate voted to adjourn. Although many senators objected, a simple voice vote closed the session, delaying further action on the SAVE America Act and budget negotiations until September.