White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt publicly stated that President Donald Trump's patience is wearing thin with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., over the stalled SAVE America Act, the administration's flagship election security legislation.
Leavitt expressed on Thursday that Trump desires to see a significant portion of the SAVE America Act passed before the August recess, asserting that this is the will of the American people. She emphasized that the House of Representatives has fulfilled its role, and the Senate now needs to act.
However, the legislative reality in the Senate presents a different picture. The SAVE America Act faces universal opposition from Senate Democrats, who argue it would disenfranchise millions of voters. For the bill to pass the Senate, Thune would require Democratic support, a stark contrast to the House where Republicans can advance legislation without Democratic votes.
Adding to the challenge, not all Republicans are aligned with the bill. Despite Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Trump's hope that the SAVE America Act could be passed through the budget reconciliation process, which requires a simple majority of 50 votes, Republican support remains uncertain.
Thune responded to Leavitt's remarks by suggesting that those in the White House should focus on securing the necessary 50 votes within the Senate or target Democrats who are blocking the legislation. "So instead of, you know, pointing the finger at Republicans, they might think about going after the people who are stopping it on the floor, which is the Democrats. And if there are Republicans that they think are gettable, get on the phone. Let's get them to yes," Thune stated.
Some Senate Republicans are expressing frustration with the expectations surrounding the bill, citing the difficult mathematics of passing it in the chamber. Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., a vocal opponent of the SAVE America Act, indicated that Republicans should instead focus on using the reconciliation process to fund the government. Tillis also stated that some proponents of the SAVE Act were being "dishonest to the American people" about its feasibility for implementation before the election.
When asked about Leavitt's comments directed at Thune, Tillis defended the Senate Majority Leader, saying, "I have 1,000% confidence in Thune, and anybody in the White House who thinks he's not a good leader isn't qualified for their job."