Trump pushes SAVE America Act as Senate balks over WH agenda

President Donald Trump on Thursday highlighted the SAVE America Act, a marquis voter ID bill that has languished in the Senate, in the wake of the upper chamber’s revolt over an “anti-weaponization fund” they feared could reward Trump allies.Trump touted the bill in a Truth Social post on Thursday, describing its functions.
“THE SAVE AMERICA ACT! 1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PHOTO I.D. (IDENTIFICATION!). 2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP. 3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!). 4. NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS. 5. NO TRANSGENDER MUTILIZATION [sic] SURGERY FOR OUR CHILDREN.” he posted.
Trump’s touting of the SAVE America Act, moreover, appears deliberately timed. The Senate on Thursday is set to vote on a reconciliation package that would fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol. The package follows the record-breaking shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and represents a Republican effort to increase funding for immigration enforcement without Democratic support.
As of Thursday morning, several Senate Republicans suggested they would oppose the reconciliation package unless it included language to end the Department of Justice’s “anti-weaponization fund,” which the agency announced as part of a settlement to end Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS over the leak of his tax returns by contractor Charles Littlejohn, who pleaded guilty. The $1.776 billion fund drew bipartisan pushback over fears that the fund could be used to reward Trump allies. After bipartisan uproar and legal challenges, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the DOJ would not move forward with the fund, but many lawmakers still sought written assurances to that effect.
Senate leaders have faced considerable pressure from MAGA stalwarts to pass the SAVE America Act, including by altering chamber rules or reforming the filibuster. But Senate Majority Leader John Thune has balked at the prospect. The issue proved pivotal in a recent Texas Senate primary after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton offered to drop out if his opponent, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, managed to secure passage of the bill. Cornyn did not and Paxton won the runoff.
Trump endorsed Paxton at the last minute, notably referencing the SAVE America Act as a motivator. His intervention against an incumbent and continued pressure on the upper chamber to reform have contributed to tensions between the White House and Congress.
Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.

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