The central issue in the Senate this week is whether Republicans can overcome Democratic opposition to the SAVE America Act (HR 7296) by requiring a talking filibuster, rather than relying on the usual cloture process. Majority Leader John Thune, R-SD, recently announced that the Senate would take up the bill this week. The House passed the election overhaul bill on February 11, 218-213. President Trump declared the legislation his “No. 1 priority” and has threatened not to sign any bill into law until Congress passes it.
The SAVE America Act has stalled in the Senate because Republicans lack the votes to overcome Democrats’ objections. The bill passed the House along party lines, with just one Democrat supporting it. And Democrats are expected to filibuster it in the Senate.
The bill’s supporters want Thune to force Democrats to mount a talking filibuster on the Senate floor. However, Thune says “the votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster” and argues the tactic is “more complicated and risky” than people assume. He also warns that this approach will derail the GOP agenda and force Republicans to cast politically damaging amendment votes ahead of November’s midterm elections.
