Four Republican senators joined Democrats to defeat a citizenship verification amendment during a late-night vote-a-rama.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
A push by Senate Republicans to incorporate a voter identification and citizenship verification proposal into a party-line immigration funding package failed early Thursday after several GOP members broke ranks.
The amendment, modeled after the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act, was rejected in a 48–50 vote during a marathon Senate session known as a vote-a-rama, where lawmakers consider numerous amendments tied to budget legislation.
Republican Sens. Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, and Mitch McConnell joined Democrats in opposing the measure, preventing it from advancing despite broader Republican support for tightening election rules.
The outcome reflected concerns previously raised within the party about the proposal’s viability. Even with procedural efforts to move the measure forward, it lacked sufficient backing among Republicans to secure passage.
The amendment was introduced by John Kennedy, who had indicated he was willing to delay Senate proceedings to force consideration of the measure. Speaking on the Senate floor, Kennedy acknowledged potential procedural hurdles but pressed forward with the effort.
“I respect everybody in this body, everybody,” Kennedy said. “If you vote against this bill, I’m not going to say a word. And I’m sure as hell not going to go on social media and call you an ignorant slut. That’s not the way I roll, unless I’m pushed too far.”
If approved, the proposal would have directed the Senate Rules Committee to draft legislation requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, mandating identification to cast ballots in federal elections, restricting voting to Election Day, and requiring ballots to be counted within 36 hours. The plan also included a $10 billion allocation cap for implementation.
John Thune, the Senate Majority Leader, had not moved to bypass standard procedures to advance the measure with a simple majority. Meanwhile, Alex Padilla, the top Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee, criticized the amendment.
“We’ve already gone down this road for several weeks now to debate the so-called SAVE America Act,” Padilla said. “But I think, despite how you felt about the SAVE America Act, which certainly cannot pass the Senate, even my Republican colleagues would say the measure suggested by our colleague from Louisiana is an even more extreme version.”
Although Collins had previously expressed support for the SAVE Act, she opposed this specific version. Murkowski and Tillis had also raised objections during earlier debate efforts.
Donald Trump has repeatedly called for passage of the SAVE Act, stating last month that he would not sign unrelated legislation until it was approved and signaling opposition to a modified version of the bill.
The failed vote occurred as Senate lawmakers continue to prioritize other legislative matters, including immigration enforcement funding, surveillance authority reauthorization, and international conflict developments. Republican leadership has not announced plans to conclude ongoing floor proceedings.