Trump Calls on Thune to Remove Senate Parliamentarian as SAVE Act Faces Senate Roadblocks
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Senate Republicans, calling on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to remove Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough as Republicans continue searching for a path to pass the SAVE America Act.
Trump’s comments come as Senate Republicans face growing procedural obstacles in advancing the legislation, which would require voters registering for federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. Supporters argue the bill would strengthen election security, while critics warn it could complicate voter registration for some eligible citizens.
The immediate dispute centers on Senate procedure. The parliamentarian advises whether legislative provisions comply with Senate rules, including the Byrd Rule governing reconciliation bills. Measures that fail those tests typically require the standard 60-vote threshold instead of a simple majority.
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Current Senate math remains a major obstacle for the SAVE Act. Although Republicans control the chamber, the legislation lacks the bipartisan support needed to overcome a filibuster. Senate leaders have acknowledged the challenge, and no clear path to 60 votes has emerged.
The political fight has expanded beyond Capitol Hill. Conservative activists and some Trump allies have criticized Thune for failing to advance the bill more aggressively, while voting-rights advocates and Democratic groups argue the legislation could disenfranchise eligible voters who do not have immediate access to citizenship documentation.
At present, the SAVE America Act remains stalled in the Senate. No vote capable of clearing the filibuster has been secured, and there is no indication Senate leadership plans to remove the parliamentarian. The dispute instead highlights a broader struggle over Senate rules, election policy, and Trump’s influence over congressional Republicans.
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