Trump Presses Senate to Prioritize SAVE America Voting Bill Ahead of Housing Bill Signing
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President Trump cancelled a housing legislation signing and urged Republican senators to pass the SAVE America Act, a voter-ID measure, before moving forward with other agenda items.
President Donald Trump announced that the scheduled signing of an affordable-housing bill would be postponed until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, which he described as a "national emergency." The president has been urging Senate Republicans to eliminate the filibuster and adopt the voting-law proposal, which would impose stricter proof-of-citizenship and ID requirements for voters.
Trump is set to attend a closed-door GOP luncheon on Capitol Hill, his first such appearance in more than a year, to discuss the issue with Senate leaders. Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that the bill lacks sufficient support to overcome the 60-vote threshold needed to repeal the filibuster, and Democrats oppose the measure as a form of voter suppression.
Republican senators expressed mixed reactions. Texas Sen. John Cornyn said unity is needed to win upcoming midterm elections, while North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis called the upcoming meeting "conciliatory." Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a Trump ally, said the president would be "very positive" about the agenda. Utah Sen. Mike Lee, a vocal supporter of the bill, warned that failure to pass it could lead to electoral setbacks, a claim that other GOP leaders said does not reflect the current political reality.
The discussion may also touch on other pending matters, including the confirmation of a national intelligence director, funding for a White House ballroom project, and the administration’s stance on the Iran nuclear agreement. Senate leaders indicated they hope the luncheon will focus on aligning the party’s priorities before the November elections.
