Senate Republicans Adjourn Without Passing SAVE America Act or Reconciliation Bill
The Senate recessed for the summer without approving the SAVE America Act or a budget reconciliation measure, despite pressure from President Trump and party leaders.
Senate Republicans left Washington on Saturday without voting on the SAVE America Act, a voter-integrity proposal championed by President Donald Trump, or on a budget reconciliation bill that Republicans hoped would bypass a Democratic filibuster.
Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said the legislation remains a priority, noting, "We’re not dropping SAVE. It’s a matter of time." However, the Senate will not reconvene until the third week of September, after which it must address pending cryptocurrency and college-sports funding bills before another recess in October for the midterm campaign season.
A separate effort to pass a $150 billion budget blueprint drafted by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) was halted after Trump expressed concerns about its prospects. Johnson later said Trump agreed the party should work through August and September on a stronger reconciliation proposal.
Majority Leader John Thune indicated that Republicans may consider another reconciliation bill to fund defense spending and incorporate elements of the SAVE America Act, though he stopped short of committing to a specific timeline.
During the same session, the Senate approved a short-term funding extension through early December, a sanctions package targeting Russia, and confirmed Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General. Democrats blocked a voter-ID bill from Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio), and legislation on cryptocurrency regulation and name-image-likeness compensation for college athletes remains pending.