Senate Votes 51-48 to Open Debate on SAVE America Act Despite Filibuster Hurdle

The Senate voted 51-48 on Tuesday, March 17, to begin debate on the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed election bill, according to NBC News, CBS News and CNBC. All three outlets reported that Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the only Republican to join Democrats in opposing the motion. NBC News and CNBC added that Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., did not vote.

Opening debate required only a simple majority. NBC News explained that the House passed the bill as a “message,” which allowed the Senate to begin consideration that way. Ending debate and passing the bill, however, requires 60 votes, and Republicans hold 53 seats, CNBC noted.

The bill would require voters to prove citizenship to register and show photo identification to cast a ballot, according to CNBC and CBS News. NBC News said the photo ID requirement would cover mail voting too and that the bill would let the Department of Homeland Security flag suspected noncitizens to states for removal from voter rolls. CBS News reported that states would have to take steps to ensure only citizens are registered, including a program to identify noncitizens, and that voters whose ID does not show citizenship would need proof-of-citizenship documents unless the state has had the voter verified through a federal check.

Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., defended the measure. “It’s just common sense. And polls show that the American people agree,” he said, according to CNBC. NBC News reported that he compared photo ID to requirements for everyday activities such as opening a bank account.

Democrats said they would stop it. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said: “We’re not going to let it pass. We’re going to fight it tooth and nail,” CNBC reported. Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., called the bill a “naked attempt to rig our elections,” according to NBC News and CBS News. NBC News reported that Schumer said Democrats do not object to photo ID itself but consider the bill a voter suppression measure. Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said on the floor, “No one on the other side will join us,” NBC News reported.

The path forward is narrow. Thune has said Republicans lack the votes for a “talking filibuster,” a tactic that would force opponents to hold the floor, or for the “nuclear option” of removing the 60-vote threshold, according to NBC News and CBS News. CBS News quoted him: “The votes aren’t there to do a talking filibuster.” Instead, CBS News reported, Thune is not seeking a cloture vote to end debate, so senators can speak as long as they wish, and debate could last a week or more. A GOP leadership aide told NBC News it could run through the weekend.

President Trump, who NBC News said calls the bill his “No. 1 priority,” has pushed for changes. NBC News and CBS News reported that he wants provisions largely banning mail-in voting, and CBS News said he threatened not to sign most other bills until Congress passes the measure. NBC News reported that Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., plans to offer amendments to match Trump’s preferences, though those would also need 60 votes. CBS News said votes on amendments are expected eventually and would put Democrats on the record.