OAN Staff Addie Davis
2:55 PM – Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune made remarks to reporters on Tuesday claiming that “the votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster” in response to increasing GOP pressure to pass the SAVE America Act.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump issued a bold ultimatum on Truth Social, declaring he will withhold his signature from all future legislation until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. The bill, which has since become a GOP demand, would mandate documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration — a move that President Trump maintains is vital for overall fairness and election integrity.
“It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. I, as President will not sign other Bills until this is passed,” Trump said at the time.
Describing it as a “front-of-the-line” issue for election integrity, Trump also rejected any “watered-down” versions of the act. He is calling for a “Go for the Gold” iteration that would establish universal voter I.D. and U.S. citizenship requirements, while restricting mail-in ballots, with exceptions for military and disabled voters.
Additionally, the president is pushing for the inclusion of broader policy goals, such as protecting women’s sports and prohibiting surgeries for minors with gender dysphoria.
Although Republicans maintain a thin majority in the Senate, the filibuster effectively requires a 60-vote minimum to pass much legislation, as that is the number needed to end debate on a bill. In an effort to overcome this procedural rule, Republicans could force a “talking filibuster” by Democrats, according to POLITICO.
However, this could lead to a complicated and drawn-out battle in the Senate where Thune would need to maintain near unwavering support from Republicans.
“You have to have unified support, not only in support of the ultimate goal, which is the SAVE America Act, but on the process to be able to defeat amendments that would undo the legislation in the first place,” Thune said on Monday, per CBS News. “We can’t find a piece of legislation in history that’s been passed that way.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) further argued that forcing the bill forward is “much more complicated and risky” than many realize, citing the immense procedural hurdles involved. While the legislative filibuster has faced growing criticism, several Republicans remain wary of abolishing the rule, fearing it could be weaponized by Democrats should they regain power.
Meanwhile, Democrat opposition has remained unified, with lefty leaders claiming that the bill’s requirements could “disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.” On Monday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) intensified his rhetoric, labeling the act “Jim Crow 2.0” and characterizing it as a blatant attempt at voter suppression.
Critics of Schumer’s position, however, have described his rhetoric as condescending and even racist. Detractors argue that the “disenfranchisement” narrative implies a lack of agency or capability among Black voters, as Schumer is seemingly suggesting that Black Americans are less equipped to obtain or maintain standard identification.
Meanwhile, speaking from the House Republican Issues Conference in Florida on Monday, President Trump further underscored the legislation as his “No. 1” priority. He highlighted how the bill maintains overwhelming bipartisan support among the public.
The general consensus across multiple polls shows that 71% of all Americans support the passage of the SAVE America Act, according to the White House.
| Group | Support for SAVE America Act | Support for Voter ID | Support for Proof of Citizenship |
| Republicans | 91% | 98% | 96% |
| Independents | 69% | 84% | 82% |
| Democrats | 50% | 67% | 60% |
| Overall | 71% | 84% | 83% |
“The only one opposed to it is Democrat leadership because they cheat, they want to cheat,” Trump asserted. “We’re going for the gold and we’re going to have to fight like hell.”
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