Key facts
- President 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.
- Thune has stated that 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.
- Other Republican senators, like Steve Daines and Mike Lee, have defended Thune's leadership and expressed skepticism about firing the parliamentarian.
President Donald Trump is intensifying pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a legislative push that has become a point of contention between the two Republicans. 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, however, has resisted these demands, citing Senate traditions and the lack of sufficient votes to overcome the legislative filibuster, which would be necessary to pass the act's core provisions. He has also defended the parliamentarian's role as a fair referee. This stance has drawn criticism from Trump's MAGA base, with some calling for Thune's ouster, though other Republican senators like Steve Daines and Mike Lee have publicly supported Thune's leadership and downplayed the possibility of a change.
The relationship between Trump and Thune has historically been complex, marked by past tensions and recent cooperation on legislative priorities. Trump's recent actions, including endorsing an opponent of Sen. John Cornyn for similar perceived disloyalty regarding the SAVE America Act, underscore the high stakes of this legislative battle. Thune acknowledges that Trump's support is not guaranteed, but he remains firm on his position regarding the procedural hurdles and vote counts in the Senate.