Thune Commits to Senate Floor Debate on SAVE America Act Next Week

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) announced on March 13, 2026, his intention to bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor for debate and votes next week, aiming to force Democrats to defend their positions on voter eligibility.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Thune stated, "Next week, I will be bringing the SAVE America Act to the floor... And we will be having a full and robust debate," emphasizing the bill's focus on requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID for voting. He added, "I can't guarantee an outcome on this legislation. But I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record."

The SAVE America Act, which passed the House in April 2025, mandates documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration, photo ID for voting starting in 2027, and prohibits states from accepting registrations without such proof. It also requires accommodations for disabilities and name mismatches.

Thune pushed back on calls for a "talking filibuster" to lower the 60-vote threshold, stating "the votes aren’t there" for such a change, opting instead for regular procedure despite unified Democratic opposition. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) criticized the bill as making voting "more difficult for millions of Americans," calling it "a solution in search of a problem."

President Donald Trump endorsed the move on Truth Social, supporting the filibuster tactic to pass the act and "guarantee the midterms" for Republicans. The bill's passage remains unlikely without 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.