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Senate Republicans are forcing Democrats to take public stands on President Trump’s top legislative priorities as debate continues on the SAVE America Act, a House-passed bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, a photo ID to cast a ballot, and mandate states to clean up voter rolls.
The effort is part of a broader Republican strategy to put Democrats on record ahead of upcoming elections.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, South Dakota Republican, said the goal is to ensure “a fulsome debate on an issue that is overwhelmingly supported by the American people.”
Democrats blocked the first such vote Saturday, rejecting an amendment from Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Alabama Republican and former college football coach, that would have banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The measure failed 49-41, short of the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. Nine senators were absent for the rare weekend vote.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, defended the effort as an attempt to codify an executive order President Trump signed in February 2025 that allows the administration to rescind federal funds from educational programs permitting transgender women to compete in women’s sports.
Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer, New York Democrat, dismissed the vote as a political maneuver, saying Republicans “wasted Senate floor time on a radical cultural war amendment that went nowhere.”
Democrats largely declined to speak on the Senate floor about their opposition, with Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts noting on social media that Democrats had blocked it.
Republicans say voter ID is their next battleground. A CBS News poll conducted last week found 80% of Americans support requiring a valid photo ID to vote — including 95% of Republicans, 79% of independents, and 65% of Democrats. Support for requiring proof of citizenship to register was somewhat lower, at 66% overall.
Sen. Jon Husted, Ohio Republican, has introduced legislation establishing five acceptable forms of voter identification: a driver’s license, a state-issued photo ID, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a passport. He attempted to pass the bill by unanimous consent last week but Democrats objected, setting up a roll-call vote this week.
Democrats contend the broader SAVE America Act contains provisions that would make it harder for eligible citizens to vote, with Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Michigan accusing Republicans of trying to protect Trump from an election loss this fall.
Read more: Democrats block first GOP amendment to SAVE America Act
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