Trump's patience with Thune 'is running out'

Responding to the situation, Thune suggested on Thursday that the White House should engage directly with lawmakers to secure votes. 'Well maybe [Leavitt] or somebody else ought to get on the phone and get the votes, right?' Thune told reporters. 'It’s 50 around here, and so instead of, you know, pointing the finger at Republicans, they might think about going after the people who are stopping it on the floor, which is the Democrats, and if there are Republicans that they think are gettable, get on the phone.'

The House recently passed a reconciliation bill containing $10 billion to encourage states to adopt elements of Trump's voting overhaul, known as the SAVE America Act. Trump's proposed changes include requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification for voters, and significantly limiting mail-in voting. However, the bill is considered unlikely to meet the necessary parliamentary standards for reconciliation in the Senate.

Leavitt indicated that Trump's goal is to see a substantial portion of the SAVE America Act enacted before the August recess, believing it aligns with public desire.