Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., has sharply criticized Senate Republican leaders for instituting a five-week recess while key conservative legislation, including the SAVE America Act, remains stalled. Norman described the break as an "abomination" and a "slap in the face" to citizens across the country.
Speaking recently on the "Fox News Rundown" podcast, Norman called out Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for allowing the recess to begin on August 8, with senators not scheduled to return until September 14. During this period, the SAVE America Act, a bill passed by the House that mandates documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal elections, has not advanced in the Senate.
"If we don't know that American citizens are voting for the leaders of our great country, what do we have? We don't have a democracy," Norman stated, emphasizing the critical nature of the SAVE Act. He expressed frustration with the recurring Senate argument of "We don't have the votes," questioning how long this justification will persist while Congress is not in session.
Norman is currently campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat in South Carolina, seeking to succeed the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The special Republican primary runoff is scheduled for August 25, with Norman facing Darline Graham, sister of the late senator. Both candidates advanced from the August 11 primary. President Donald Trump has endorsed Darline Graham, a decision Norman acknowledged while asserting confidence in his own prospects.
"I wanted the president's endorsement, I called him. He chose otherwise, that's fine. South Carolina will pick the next senator for six years," Norman said. He announced his own Senate candidacy in July, vowing to prioritize President Trump's America First agenda, starting with the SAVE America Act.
While Norman's criticism focused on the Senate, both chambers of Congress are currently observing their scheduled August recess. Previous attempts in the Senate to pass election integrity and voter ID measures have failed to garner the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster.