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John Thune faces Trump pressure over SAVE America Act
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session, cancel the August recess and end the filibuster so the SAVE America Act can pass. The bill would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and nationwide voter‑ID standards. Thune has said Republicans lack the 60‑vote supermajority needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster; the Senate currently stands at a 53‑47 Republican majority, short of the 60‑vote threshold. He also described the 50‑vote reconciliation threshold as a “challenge.”
Trump has called Thune “one of my biggest headaches” and has publicly questioned whether Thune should remain the GOP leader in the Senate. Some Republicans, including Senators Mike Crapo, Roger Marshall and Kevin Cramer, have publicly backed Thune’s stance, while others push to use a $95 billion budget reconciliation package to advance the legislation. The dispute centers on the feasibility of passing the voter‑ID bill through reconciliation, which could open the measure to extensive committee review and Democratic amendments.
Entities
Donald Trump · John Thune · Mike Lee · Republican Party · Russ Vought · SAVE America Act · Ted Cruz · United States Senate
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] John Thune told President Trump “no” regarding ending the filibuster for the Save America Act. pjmedia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Former FBI Director James Comey asked a federal judge to dismiss a case alleging he threatened the president. kiowacountypress.net
- [● 2 SOURCES] Donald Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate in session and end the filibuster to pass the Save America Act. spotonalabama.com · kiowacountypress.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senator Mike Lee called for the Senate to forgo its recess until the Save America Act receives a vote.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Save America Act is a voter‑ID bill that would sharply restrict mail‑in ballots and require proof of citizenship to register or vote. spotonalabama.com · kiowacountypress.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Justice Department asked the Supreme Court to lift a judge’s block on a Trump executive order restricting mail‑in voting. kiowacountypress.net
- [● 3 SOURCES] John Thune said there is no viable plan to bring the Save America Act to the Senate floor and will not end the filibuster. kiowacountypress.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Republican senators Mike Crapo, Roger Marshall and Kevin Cramer publicly expressed support for John Thune’s stance on the legislation. pjmedia.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senate Majority Leader John Thune warned that the Save America Act lacks the votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster or change Senate rules for passage.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senate Republicans warned the White House that using budget reconciliation to pass the Save America Act would expose the bill to Democratic amendments and procedural hurdles. www.washingtonexaminer.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] President Trump privately described John Thune as one of his “biggest headaches.” dnyuz.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Senators Mike Lee and Ted Cruz publicly supported canceling the August recess to pass the Save America Act. townhall.com