Trump to meet GOP senators amid growing intra-party tensions

President Donald Trump is scheduled to join a Senate Republican luncheon on Wednesday, marking his first attendance at the event in more than a year. The meeting comes as several GOP senators have voiced concerns about the president’s push for the SAVE America Act, a voting-rights proposal that would require proof of citizenship and voter ID, and that also includes provisions on mail-in ballots, gender-identity surgery and sports participation.

Senators John Cornyn and Bill Cassidy, who lost primary challenges after Trump endorsed opponents, said they hope the discussion will focus on party unity ahead of the midterm elections. "If we’re going to win the midterm elections, we need to get on the same page," Cornyn said.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who has warned that the voting bill lacks sufficient votes to overcome the filibuster, reiterated that the proposal is not realistic under current Senate rules. "Those are just hard realities," Thune said, adding that he hopes the luncheon will be a chance for the caucus to work together.

Republican Senator Thom Tillis said his complaints have already been communicated and expressed a desire for a conciliatory tone at the meeting. "That would be a big win for us tomorrow," he said.

Florida Senator Rick Scott, who extended the invitation to Trump, said the president responded immediately and will be "very positive" about the party’s accomplishments and plans for November. Scott has urged weekly votes on the SAVE America Act and other GOP priorities.

Other senators, including Utah’s Mike Lee, continue to advocate for eliminating the filibuster and advancing the voting bill, a stance that has drawn criticism from colleagues who say it creates unrealistic expectations within the party.

The agenda may also cover the pending nomination of Jay Clayton as national intelligence director, a surveillance-law renewal tied to the SAVE America Act, and questions surrounding the Iran agreement, which many senators have not yet been briefed on. South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds said the group is there to listen and aim for a united approach for the remainder of the president’s term.