GOP Senator Bill Hagerty Signals Filibuster Shift to Advance SAVE Act Vote
Sen. Bill Hagerty said Sunday that Republicans are considering weakening the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, elevating pressure around one of the chamber’s most protected rules.
The remarks, made during a Fox News appearance, underscore growing Republican urgency over election legislation as the bill faces uncertain prospects in the Senate.
Hagerty said GOP lawmakers are exploring “every option” to advance the SAVE Act, which would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections. The bill has backing from former President Donald Trump, who has urged Congress to prioritize election integrity measures ahead of the midterms.
Fox News displayed a chyron reading “SAVE AMERICA ACT FACES UNCERTAIN FUTURE IN SENATE,” highlighting the procedural obstacle posed by the 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
“We have to ensure that only American citizens are voting in American elections,” Hagerty said during the interview.
The comment places Republicans in a politically delicate position. The GOP has historically defended the filibuster as a safeguard for minority rights, while Democrats have previously pushed to weaken it for voting and judicial legislation.
No formal proposal to change Senate rules has been introduced. It remains unclear whether Republican leadership would pursue a narrow carve-out for election law or attempt a broader procedural shift.
The SAVE Act would need bipartisan support to clear the current threshold. Without it, any move to modify the filibuster could trigger internal party debate and reshape Senate precedent heading into a high-stakes election year.
For now, the bill’s path forward remains uncertain.
Related: Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams GOP Bad Bunny Probe, Says Healthcare Costs Deserve Focus