Trump Pressures Senate as Cornyn Flips on Filibuster Over SAVE Act Vote
Donald Trump’s push to pass a sweeping voter eligibility bill is now colliding with Senate procedure and a Texas Republican primary that could reshape the fight over the filibuster.
The dispute centers on the SAVE America Act, a House-passed measure requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification for voting in federal elections. The bill faces a 60-vote threshold in the Senate, a barrier Republicans cannot currently overcome.
According to AP News and other outlets, Trump has demanded Republicans prioritize the legislation and has urged the Senate to eliminate or weaken the filibuster if necessary to pass it.
The pressure is already shifting Republican strategy. Texas Sen. John Cornyn, once a strong defender of the 60-vote rule, said he is now open to changing Senate rules to move the bill forward.
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“Democrats are weaponizing the Senate’s rules to block the SAVE America Act,” Cornyn wrote in an op-ed explaining his reversal.
Cornyn’s change came during a high-stakes Republican runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, with Trump’s endorsement still undecided and widely viewed as pivotal in the race.
But Senate leadership has resisted the push. Majority Leader John Thune has acknowledged the bill lacks enough votes to overcome a filibuster and said most Republicans are not willing to abolish the rule to pass it.
That leaves the legislation trapped in a procedural standoff while Trump continues to pressure lawmakers and tie the bill to broader Republican election priorities.
The next major moment could come when the Senate brings the bill to the floor, where Democrats are expected to block it — a vote that may deepen the fight over whether the filibuster should survive.
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