President Trump Criticizes Senate Majority Leader John Thune Over Stalled Progress on the SAVE America Act Voting Legislation
President Trump expressed growing frustration with Senate Majority Leader John Thune regarding the slow progress of the SAVE America Act. The administration announced that the president’s patience is running out as lawmakers struggle to pass the bill before the August recess. The legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, to register for federal elections and would remove noncitizens from voter rolls. While President Trump urged supporters to pressure Thune to approve the measure, Thune argued that the administration should focus on persuading the Democrats who are currently blocking the bill. Thune noted that the act currently lacks the 60 votes required to overcome a filibuster. Despite the public criticism, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana defended Thune’s leadership, stating that the majority leader maintains broad support within the Republican conference. Kennedy emphasized that while Thune supports the act, some Republican members do not, necessitating further negotiation to secure the necessary votes.