Senator Tillis vows to block SAVE America Act in Senate

Retiring Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has threatened to obstruct Senate business if the House sends over a budget reconciliation bill containing President Donald Trump's election integrity legislation. Tillis made the declaration on the Senate floor on Thursday, July 16, 2026, arguing the "SAVE America Act" cannot be implemented before the November midterm elections and vowing to use every procedural tool at his disposal to slow down the government.

The senator's threat escalates a growing rift within the Republican Party over the legislation, which aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration, clean up voter rolls, and impose new limits on mail-in ballots. Tillis, who is not seeking re-election, framed his opposition as a matter of practicality, stating the complex policy changes could not be enacted in the roughly 60 days remaining before the election. "Don't fool the American people into thinking you can implement something of this complexity over 60 days," Tillis said. "My God, it needed to happen two years ago."

His comments came as House Republicans advanced the measure on two fronts. On Wednesday, the House passed the annual defense authorization...