Senate GOP Weighs Rules Changes for SAVE Act

Senate Republicans are intensifying debates over procedural changes to advance the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification for federal voter registration, as it faces certain blockage from Democrats in the chamber.

The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, passed the Republican-controlled House last month by a 218-213 vote. It now awaits action in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority but lack the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and end a filibuster. President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged its passage, calling it his top priority for election integrity and tying it to broader agenda items, including funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Without the bill, Trump has indicated he may withhold approval of other measures, potentially exacerbating a government funding impasse.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has committed to bringing the SAVE Act to the floor but emphasized preserving Senate traditions, including the filibuster. In recent remarks to reporters, Thune expressed skepticism about alternative strategies, stating, "Having studied it and researched it pretty thoroughly, you have to...