Trending Now - Cornyn Changes Filibuster Position to Advance Trump's SAVE Act
WHO:
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
President Donald Trump
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
President Trump
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton
James Talarico, Texas state senator (Democratic candidate)
WHAT:
Cornyn stated, "The survival instinct is a powerful one," regarding his support for changes to the filibuster.
Paxton announced he would consider dropping out of the runoff race if the Senate passed the SAVE America Act.
Trump has threatened to not sign any bills until the SAVE America Act is passed, stating its passage would "guarantee the midterms" for the GOP.
The House approved the SAVE America Act on February 2026 with a vote of 218-213.
Trump stated in a post on Truth Social, "The Republicans MUST DO, with PASSION, and at the expense of everything else, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT."
Cornyn wrote in a New York Post op-ed on March 11th, 2026, "For many years, I believed that if the U.S. Senate scrapped the filibuster, Texas and our nation would stand to lose more than we would gain."
Cornyn added, "After careful consideration, I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary for us to get the SAVE America Act and Homeland Security funding past the Democrats’ obstruction, through the Senate and on the president’s desk for his signature."
Trump has asked Republicans to add provisions to the SAVE America Act that would crack down on mail-in ballots, prohibit biological males’ participation in women’s sports, and ban child sex-change procedures.
Cornyn urged Republicans to enact changes to the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE (Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility) America Act.
The SAVE America Act includes provisions for voter ID requirements and proof-of-citizenship to vote in federal elections.
Trump has called the voter ID bill the "number one priority" for Republicans.
The House passed the SAVE America Act in February 2026.
Cornyn stated, "After careful consideration, I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary for us to get the SAVE America Act... on the president’s desk for his signature."
Trump threatened not to sign any legislation until the SAVE America Act clears the Senate.
WHERE:
Washington, D.C.
Texas
WHEN:
The deadline to withdraw from the runoff race is March 18th, 2026, at 5 p.m. CT.
Cornyn and Paxton advanced to a runoff in the primary held on March 5th, 2026.
The Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to put the SAVE America Act to a vote in the Senate the week of March 13th, 2026.
Cornyn made his appeal on March 11th, 2026.
The Senate is expected to vote on the SAVE America Act the week of March 13th, 2026.
The runoff election between Cornyn and Paxton is scheduled for late May 2026.
WHY:
Cornyn's change in position on the filibuster is attributed to "the unprecedented obstruction by Democrats."
The urgency to pass the SAVE America Act is driven by the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.
Cornyn's appeal for changes to the filibuster is driven by the urgency to pass the SAVE America Act before the November 2026 midterm elections.
Cornyn's reversal on the filibuster is motivated by the need to pass the SAVE America Act before the November 2026 midterm elections.
Cornyn criticized Democrats for blocking the SAVE America Act, stating, "Today, Democrats are weaponizing the Senate’s rules... to spite President Donald Trump."
HOW:
Cornyn indicated that the changes to Senate rules could involve a "talking filibuster" to make obstructionists defend their views on the Senate floor.
Senate Republicans are considering a "talking filibuster" strategy to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require opponents to speak continuously to delay the vote.
Cornyn is advocating for changes to Senate rules to bypass the 60-vote filibuster requirement for the SAVE America Act.
The SAVE America Act would require bipartisan support to overcome the filibuster.
(UPDATED March 11, 2026 23:04 UTC)
In a significant development, Senator John Cornyn of Texas expressed his support for changes to the filibuster, citing "the unprecedented obstruction by Democrats" as a driving factor. Meanwhile, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he might withdraw from the runoff race if the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, which President Trump has threatened to block any bills until it is enacted, claiming its passage would "guarantee the midterms" for the GOP. The deadline for Paxton to withdraw is March 18 at 5 p.m. CT, following their advancement to a runoff in the primary held last Monday.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 19:18 UTC)
The House recently approved the SAVE America Act with a narrow vote of 218 to 213, and Trump emphasized the importance of this legislation in a post on Truth Social, urging Republicans to pursue it passionately. In a New York Post op-ed today, Senator Cornyn expressed his support for changes to Senate rules to overcome Democratic obstruction and ensure the act reaches the president's desk before the midterm elections in November. As the Senate prepares to vote on the act next week, Republicans are considering a "talking filibuster" strategy that would require opponents to speak continuously to delay the vote.
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(UPDATED March 11, 2026 17:19 UTC)
Today, Senator John Cornyn from Texas urged his fellow Republicans to modify Senate rules to pass the SAVE America Act, which includes voter ID requirements and proof-of-citizenship mandates for federal elections. President Trump has emphasized that this voter ID bill is the "number one priority" for Republicans and has threatened not to sign any legislation until the act clears the Senate, where a vote is expected next week. Cornyn's push for these changes comes as he criticizes Democrats for obstructing the bill, stating that they are using Senate rules against Trump, with the runoff election between Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton set for late May.