Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has balked at a push to use the talking filibuster to advance the voter ID and citizen registration bill.
WASHINGTON—The Senate on March 17 initiated what could be an extended debate on the SAVE America Act, election-integrity legislation championed by President Donald Trump that is still far from passage.
Senators voted 51–48 to begin debate on the bill, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections as well as photo identification to cast ballots.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) voted against the measure. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who has criticized the SAVE America Act, did not vote.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), a swing voter in the upper chamber, voiced his objections to the present version of the SAVE America Act earlier in the month, taking issue with Trump’s criticism of mail-in voting.
He also signaled support for photo ID in elections.
Other Democrats, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), have opposed the SAVE America Act in stronger terms, with Schumer saying it would disenfranchise many voters.
The SAVE America Act passed the House on Feb. 11, mostly along party lines.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), a Democrat in a competitive district, broke with his party to support it.
Trump has described the legislation as a major priority, telling House Republicans at a Florida retreat on March 9 that the legislation would “guarantee the midterms” if passed.
The president has vowed not to sign any legislation until the SAVE America Act passes.
He has urged Republicans to add new provisions, including language that would heavily limit mail-in voting.
Trump also wants to add a provision against gender surgery in minors as well as one that would take aim at the participation of men in women’s sports.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and conservative activist Scott Presler were among those leading the push for a SAVE America Act vote in recent weeks.
Lee and others have advocated the use of the standing filibuster to outmaneuver the 60-vote threshold—a barrier that may ultimately thwart the passage of the legislation.
That approach would require a Republican majority to remain in close contact with Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) and be ready to avert procedural moves from Democrats that would sink the bill.
Thune has said he lacks the votes for a standing filibuster, opting instead for a talk-intensive floor strategy set to unfold over days or even weeks.
