Former President Donald Trump has linked the stalled SAVE America Act to a proposed $350 billion defense spending package, escalating his pressure on Republican lawmakers to pass his election integrity priorities before the midterm elections.
Trump announced his strategy on social media, stating that the SAVE America Act, along with full funding for the Department of Defense, could be rapidly passed. This move intertwines his long-sought voter ID and citizenship verification measures with national security funding, aiming to overcome Senate obstacles.
The SAVE America Act, a top priority for Trump, seeks to implement stricter voter identification laws and citizenship verification processes, measures he has advocated for since his 2016 presidential campaign. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson affirmed that the act remains a critical objective for Trump, emphasizing its perceived commonsense nature and broad public support.
This strategy comes after Trump's last-minute cancellation in late June of the signing of the 21st Century ROAD Act of Housing, a bipartisan bill designed to expand housing supply and lower costs by limiting institutional investors' purchase of single-family homes. Trump reportedly issued an ultimatum to pass the SAVE Act before agreeing to sign the housing legislation. The decision to halt the housing bill's signing drew criticism from both parties, with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine calling the move inexplicable and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts stating Trump refused to sign at the "11th hour."
Democratic lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to the SAVE Act, arguing that its provisions would create undue barriers for eligible voters and lead to disenfranchisement. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Trump's stance, suggesting that the former president prioritizes passing a voter suppression law over addressing housing market relief.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries echoed these sentiments on social media, asserting that Trump believes enacting a voter suppression law is the nation's most pressing concern.
The SAVE Act has also become entangled in internal Republican politics, notably in the Texas Senate race. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee, had previously called for the passage of the SAVE America Act and for the filibuster to be lifted. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, while signaling a potential reconsideration of his support for the filibuster, did not back the SAVE Act, a dynamic that intensified pressure in the Texas primary before Trump endorsed Paxton.
Trump's renewed focus on the SAVE Act follows a Supreme Court ruling affirming birthright citizenship for children born in the U.S. to parents who are unlawfully or temporarily present in the country. Trump suggested that Congress could legislate to alter this outcome, aligning with his broader immigration and election agenda.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has expressed skepticism regarding the SAVE Act's prospects, noting the difficulty in securing the 60 votes required to bypass a Democratic filibuster. Trump has urged Senate Republicans to modify chamber rules to pass the bill with a simple majority and has challenged Democrats to defend their use of the filibuster.
Vice President JD Vance has also advocated for the legislation, stating that implementing voter ID requirements would shift the focus away from discussions of election fraud and bolster public confidence in election integrity. He argued that the U.S. is unique among advanced democracies for not requiring voter identification.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene after its Independence Day recess the week of July 13.