Trending Now - Trump's Voting Bill Sparks GOP Rift and Legislative Uncertainty
WHO:
Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., stated, "I'm a no," regarding his support for the SAVE America Act.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also opposes the bill.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said, “I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record.”
Senator Mike Lee, R-Utah, stated, “I think he understands that we need to put in an aggressive effort here,” referring to Trump.
Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, said, “We’re working through what that means and what we need to be prepared to do.”
Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., stated, "I'm a no," regarding his support for the SAVE America Act.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, also opposes the bill.
President Donald Trump
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Republican Senator James Lankford
Republican Senator Mike Lee
Republican Senator Katie Britt of Alabama
Senator Alex Padilla, ranking Democrat on the Senate Rules Committee
Elon Musk
WHAT:
The SAVE America Act would require voters to show proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, when registering to vote or changing voter registration details.
The bill would impose strict voter ID requirements, mandating a “valid photo identification” to vote at the polls or by mail.
The bill includes provisions for criminal liability for election officials who register voters without proper documentation.
The bill would require states to regularly turn over their voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security.
Tillis plans to "do everything I can to prevent it from even moving forward."
Tillis proposed an alternative that would incentivize states to adopt voter ID laws in exchange for federal funding, stating, "Who could be against that?"
The Senate is expected to vote on the SAVE America Act during the week of March 16th, 2026.
Trump is pushing Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill.
The SAVE America Act has passed in the House but lacks the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster in the Senate.
Trump has stated he will not sign any other legislation until the SAVE America Act is passed.
The bill would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements and require voters to provide a photo ID.
Senate Republicans plan to hold a "talkathon" on the Senate floor to debate the bill for an indefinite period.
Democrats oppose the bill, arguing it could disenfranchise approximately 20 million American voters.
Padilla referred to the SAVE America Act as the "Save Trump’s Ass Act" and a "voter suppression bill."
WHERE:
United States Senate
WHEN:
The Senate is expected to vote on the SAVE America Act during the week of March 16th, 2026.
The Senate Republicans plan to launch the debate on the bill next week (week of March 16th, 2026).
The SAVE America Act is a priority ahead of the midterm elections in November 2026.
WHY:
Trump has made the SAVE America Act a priority ahead of the midterm elections in November 2026, arguing that it is necessary for Republicans to win.
Trump argues that the bill is necessary for Republicans to win elections, despite the party winning the presidency and congressional majorities in 2024 without it.
The GOP is under pressure from Trump and the energized GOP base to advance the bill.
HOW:
Senate Republicans plan to hold a "talkathon" on the Senate floor for an indefinite period to pressure Democrats, although it will not officially be a "talking filibuster."
Republicans are expected to consider several amendments on issues that Trump has named as priorities, including an end to most mail-in balloting.
Senate Republicans are preparing for a floor battle that will include a marathon debate session, allowing for amendments to be loaded onto the bill, although it will not lower the threshold for passage to a simple majority.
Senate Republicans plan to hold the floor for days or weeks to pressure Democrats, although it will not be an official "talking filibuster."
Thune has indicated that the votes to eliminate the filibuster do not exist among GOP senators.
(UPDATED March 13, 2026 23:07 UTC)
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have both announced their opposition to the SAVE America Act, which requires voters to show proof of citizenship and imposes strict voter ID requirements. The Senate is set to vote on this controversial bill during the week of March 16, as Trump pushes for its passage ahead of the midterm elections in November. In an effort to rally support, Senate Republicans plan to hold a "talkathon" on the floor, aiming to pressure Democrats while discussing various amendments related to Trump's priorities, including restrictions on mail-in voting.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 21:07 UTC)
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has announced his opposition to the SAVE America Act, stating, "I'm a no," and plans to do everything he can to prevent the bill from moving forward. Alongside him, Senator Lisa Murkowski from Alaska also opposes the legislation, while Tillis has proposed an alternative that would incentivize states to adopt voter ID laws in exchange for federal funding. The Senate is set to vote on the SAVE America Act during the week of March 16, 2026, and Republicans are gearing up for a lengthy debate session that will allow for amendments, though the passage threshold will remain at a supermajority.
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(UPDATED March 13, 2026 19:16 UTC)
Today, President Trump is urging Senate Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill that has already cleared the House but lacks the necessary 60 votes to prevent a filibuster in the Senate. The bill, which would impose strict proof-of-citizenship requirements and mandate photo ID for voters, is set to be debated by Senate Republicans next week, as they plan to hold a "talkathon" on the Senate floor to pressure Democrats. While Trump insists the legislation is crucial for Republican success in upcoming elections, Democrats argue it could disenfranchise around 20 million voters, with Senator Alex Padilla even dubbing it the "Save Trump’s Ass Act."