Key facts
- President Donald Trump is pressuring Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
- Trump has publicly called for the dismissal of the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough.
- Thune stated the SAVE America Act lacks sufficient votes to pass and opposes firing the parliamentarian.
- Thune acknowledges the potential for Trump to criticize his leadership or withdraw support.
- Senators Steve Daines and Mike Lee have publicly supported Thune's leadership.
President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Trump has publicly called for the dismissal of the Senate parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, whose rulings have prevented the SAVE America Act from being attached to a budget reconciliation package via a simple majority vote. Thune has resisted these demands, citing Senate traditions and the lack of sufficient votes to overcome the legislative filibuster. He has also defended the parliamentarian's role. This stance has drawn criticism from Trump's base, though other Republican senators like Steve Daines and Mike Lee have publicly supported Thune's leadership. Trump's recent actions, including endorsing an opponent of Sen. John Cornyn, underscore the high stakes of this legislative battle. Thune remains firm on his position regarding the procedural hurdles and vote counts in the Senate.