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Senate Republicans launched a marathon of non-stop speeches on the Senate floor known as a “talkathon” Tuesday afternoon, in an attempt to signal support for the SAVE America Act.Republican leadership acknowledges it likely does not have the votes to move the bill to final passage, proceeding instead with the talkathon as a symbolic show of support for legislation that President Donald Trump has long pushed for.Trump has called it “one of the most important and consequential pieces of legislation in history” and has urged lawmakers to pass it or risk losing his endorsement.”Only sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office – A guaranteed loss!”Many Republicans argue the bill is about common-sense election security, ensuring U.S. citizens show proof of citizenship when they register to vote and photo ID when they show up to polls. However, Republican leadership acknowledges it likely lacks the 60 votes needed for it to pass.”We’ll look forward to putting the Democrats on the record and showing just the lack of common sense that they apply to some of these basic issues where the American people agree with us,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-N.D., said.Democrats have argued the bill creates more logistical hurdles and does little, if any, to address rare instances of voter fraud. Democrats have also voiced worry that the bill will disenfranchise some 20 million voters without ready access to birth certificates and passports. Elections experts say the legislation could also impact many women whose married names don’t match their maiden names on certain documents.Unified Democrats said Tuesday they would refuse to cave.”Democrats are ready. We’re ready to be here. All day, all night, as long as it takes to ensure the powers of voter suppression do not win the day,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a press conference Tuesday.After the talkathon, Republicans plan to hold a procedural vote, which is expected to fail, but will put Democrats on the record with where they stand on the legislation.Trump has also talked about additions to the SAVE America Act, including a nationwide ban on mail-in voting with few exceptions, a ban on transgender women and girls competing in female sports, and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for children. Trump also wants lawmakers on the record for how they vote on the additions ahead of the midterms later this year.Watch the latest coverage on the SAVE American Act:
Senate Republicans launched a marathon of non-stop speeches on the Senate floor known as a “talkathon” Tuesday afternoon, in an attempt to signal support for the SAVE America Act.
Republican leadership acknowledges it likely does not have the votes to move the bill to final passage, proceeding instead with the talkathon as a symbolic show of support for legislation that President Donald Trump has long pushed for.
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Trump has called it “one of the most important and consequential pieces of legislation in history” and has urged lawmakers to pass it or risk losing his endorsement.
“Only sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote in a social media post. “If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office – A guaranteed loss!”
Many Republicans argue the bill is about common-sense election security, ensuring U.S. citizens show proof of citizenship when they register to vote and photo ID when they show up to polls.
However, Republican leadership acknowledges it likely lacks the 60 votes needed for it to pass.
“We’ll look forward to putting the Democrats on the record and showing just the lack of common sense that they apply to some of these basic issues where the American people agree with us,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-N.D., said.
Democrats have argued the bill creates more logistical hurdles and does little, if any, to address rare instances of voter fraud. Democrats have also voiced worry that the bill will disenfranchise some 20 million voters without ready access to birth certificates and passports. Elections experts say the legislation could also impact many women whose married names don’t match their maiden names on certain documents.
Unified Democrats said Tuesday they would refuse to cave.
“Democrats are ready. We’re ready to be here. All day, all night, as long as it takes to ensure the powers of voter suppression do not win the day,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in a press conference Tuesday.
After the talkathon, Republicans plan to hold a procedural vote, which is expected to fail, but will put Democrats on the record with where they stand on the legislation.
Trump has also talked about additions to the SAVE America Act, including a nationwide ban on mail-in voting with few exceptions, a ban on transgender women and girls competing in female sports, and a ban on gender-affirming medical care for children.
Trump also wants lawmakers on the record for how they vote on the additions ahead of the midterms later this year.
Watch the latest coverage on the SAVE American Act:
