The Senate departed Washington for its August recess without passing the SAVE America Act after Republicans abandoned a planned $95 billion reconciliation package and a separate federal voter ID proposal failed to reach the 60 votes needed to advance.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
WASHINGTON — The Senate left Washington on Saturday for its August recess without passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America, Act, a major legislative priority for President Donald Trump that would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and photo identification to cast a ballot.
Republican Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Mike Lee of Utah and Rick Scott of Florida had considered advancing the measure through a broader $95 billion budget resolution for a third reconciliation package, but abandoned that effort late Friday after determining it lacked the votes to pass, The Hill reported. Republicans instead secured a vote on a separate federal photo identification requirement sponsored by Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio. Every Democrat opposed the proposal, which received 52 votes, eight short of the 60 needed to advance.
Johnson, Lee and Scott spoke with Trump by phone Friday as the president continued pressing Republicans to act on the election legislation before leaving Washington. “Obviously, with the president at his direction, this is what he wants to do,” Johnson said following the conversation, according to Scripps News. Trump had emphasized the importance of the legislation a day earlier during an interview with Punchbowl News. “[The] SAVE America Act is a very important thing,” Trump said. “John’s trying. He’s trying hard. I really believe that. But if he doesn’t get there, it would be unfortunate.”
The postponed $95 billion reconciliation package was designed to advance Republican election priorities while also providing funding for the war with Iran and assistance to farmers. Senate Majority Leader John Thune ultimately declined Trump’s calls to cancel the August recess and keep senators in Washington until the election legislation could be completed.
The White House blamed Democratic opposition for preventing action on the voting measures and urged Senate Republicans to continue pursuing the legislation through reconciliation. “Every American should be asking why Democrats are fighting against election integrity at every turn,” White House spokeswoman Lauren Bis told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a Saturday statement. “They oppose voter ID and commonsense measures that would ensure only Americans decide American elections. And the radical Democrat socialists leading their party support allowing illegal immigrants to vote. The American people overwhelmingly support election integrity and the SAVE America Act. Republicans must use reconciliation to pay our troops, support our farmers, secure our elections and thwart Democrats’ obstructionist tactics.”
Scott indicated Saturday that supporters intend to revive the effort after the recess. “This fight isn’t over. We have a job to do, and I’m looking forward to getting this done with you, my friend,” Scott said on X. His comments were also circulated through an embedded social-media post.
Lee had objected hours earlier to allowing the Senate to leave without first considering the legislation. “I’ve objected to a time agreement that would lock-in leaving for August recess without a vote,” Lee said Friday on X. “We can’t commit to summer vacation before we commit to secure elections.” His statement was also available through an embedded version of the post.
The Senate had already left Washington for a two-week recess in late June while the SAVE America Act remained stalled. Under the legislation, Americans would be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and present photo identification when casting a ballot.
With senators now gone for the August break, Trump’s election legislation remains unfinished despite the late push from Johnson, Lee, Scott and the White House to keep the chamber in session long enough to secure a vote.
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