The Senate’s ongoing impasse over the SAVE America Act shows what causes gridlock in the chamber: not the filibuster, not partisan polarization, and not ideological disagreement. Gridlock happens when senators on both sides of a debate are unwilling to expend the effort required to prevail.
The SAVE America Act passed the House earlier this year. Among other things, it requires voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and identification when casting a ballot. President Trump has repeatedly urged Senate Republicans to pass it. Senators Mike Lee, R-Utah, and Rick Scott, R-Fla., have called on Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to force Democrats to hold the floor and talk to obstruct the bill.
