The SAVE America Act cleared a key procedural hurdle Tuesday night, advancing Senate debate after a 51-48 vote.
The proposal, considered the highest legislative priority of President Donald Trump, would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote, mandate voter ID for federal elections, and impose new restrictions on voting by mail, with some exceptions.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), a Trump critic who’s not seeking re-election, was not present at the time of the procedural vote, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted against it.
“I’m thrilled to announce that just moments ago, we won the vote on the motion to proceed with the House-passed SAVE America Act. We got 51 votes for it,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) said in a video.
“Game on, we need to stay on this thing now until it passes, and those who want to filibuster debate, make them speak,” he added.
Debate is expected to stretch on for days as Republicans push for a talking filibuster rather than allowing delays without continuous floor speeches, according to The Hill.
Democrats have vowed unified opposition. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Tuesday that Democrats will resist the bill “no matter how long it takes.”
“This bill is about stopping groups from voting who tend to vote for Democrats. This is again about rigging the next election,” Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) said on the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, Sen. Eric Schmitt introduced Trump-backed amendments on Tuesday night, including restrictions on transgender-identifying athletes competing in women’s sports and preventing minors from undergoing transgender-related medical procedures.
“The American people want to see a return to common sense, and this week the Senate will vote on the SAVE America Act to deliver on this mandate,” Sen. Eric Schmitt said in a statement.
“I’ve worked closely with President Trump and the White House to introduce a substitute amendment that will save our elections, save women’s sports, and save our children from gender mutilation surgeries. It’s time to get this done,” the Republican added.
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA), however, is calling for legislation on voter ID, rather than the full scope of unrelated proposals outlined in the SAVE America Act.
“83% of Americans agree on voter ID. 71% of Democrats agree on voter ID. Keep it basic: PHOTO ID to vote,” the moderate Democrat posted to X.
“Stop turning this into a Christmas list and attacking vote-by-mail. If GOP wants real reform over a show vote–put out a clean, standalone bill and I’m AYE,” he continued.
