Legislation

Thune: Senate Lacks Votes to Force SAVE America Act Talking Filibuster

Is refusing the talking filibuster a cowardly surrender or a smart strategy that avoids strengthening Democrats?

MAR 10·Updated MAR 11

Thune: Senate Lacks Votes to Force SAVE America Act Talking Filibuster

Story

Above: Sen. John Thune on March 3. Image credit: Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) stated Tuesday that the votes are not available to implement a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act. Thune said the "math doesn't add up" and described delivering this news as a "reality" that can't be avoided.
The Hill
CBS News
The SAVE America Act, which passed the House last month, would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot. President Donald Trump has that demanded the legislation go further to ban all mail-in ballots and restrict the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports and access to gender-transition care for minors.
Newsmax
CBS News
Thune's comments come days after Trump announced that he would not sign other legislation until the SAVE America Act is passed. The White House clarified he would make an exception for funding the Department of Homeland Security.
AlterNet
CBS News
Previously, Thune on Monday characterized some of the pressure to pass the SAVE America Act as coming from a paid influencer ecosystem. This comment ignited criticism from Republican supporters of the bill, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Senator Mike Lee of Utah.
The Washington Examiner
The Western Journal
A talking filibuster would require Democrats to continuously hold the Senate floor to block the bill, potentially bringing the Senate to a halt for weeks. Thune warned this approach is more complicated and risky than supporters assume.
Politico
Newsmax
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Democrats welcome the "total gridlock" imposed by Trump's demand, arguing his party will not support the bill "under any circumstances." Democrats contend the legislation would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
AlterNet
CBS News

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

Thune is surrendering to Democratic obstruction despite holding a Republican majority. This establishment playbook prioritizes Senate decorum over delivering election integrity that Americans desperately need. Republican leaders with actual backbone wouldn't ask for victory guarantees or worry about weekend work schedules when fundamental American priorities hang in the balance.

Cleta Mitchell on X

Bill Mitchell on X

Narrative B

Thune is right to avoid the talking filibuster strategy, and it's great to see democracy being preserved. Proponents of it fundamentally misunderstand Senate procedure and how it would hand Democrats endless political opportunities rather than corner them. Republicans should focus on practical legislation that helps Americans rather than drumming up this drama that empowers the opposition.