Republican voters were ecstatic when the GOP secured majorities in both chambers of Congress and Donald Trump won reelection in November 2024. All kinds of Republican legislative priorities were going to flow from that, we were told. In January of this year, House Speaker Mike Johnson pledged to pass bills codifying Trump’s Executive Orders into law, and thus far, the House hasn’t done the worst job in helping the president and staying true to voters.
The Senate? Not so much. Thank the old school RINOs and Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota.
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which mandates the requirement of identification to vote, passed in the House in February. However, the bill is currently stalled in the Senate, where it needs 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. With the Senate having a narrow Republican majority of 53-47, it is unlikely that this will happen.
Many have suggested eliminating the filibuster entirely to allow for straightforward up or down votes in the chamber. However, Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) is a flat ‘no’ on that:
Thune said Monday that changing the Senate’s long-standing filibuster rules to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act is not a realistic option despite a pressure campaign from Trump and some conservative lawmakers.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen,” Thune told ABC News when asked whether Republicans might change Senate rules to bypass the 60-vote threshold required for most legislation.
Eighty-three percent of Americans support voter ID – that’s Republicans and Democrats – based on a February CNN poll, which makes it insanely frustrating for many that the measure cannot pass through the Senate and reach the president’s desk.
?NEW: CNN poll shows Americans support voter ID to vote in elections.
Harry Enten admits the public is with Nicki Minaj — photo ID to vote. pic.twitter.com/qUvYtI4e8P
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) February 3, 2026
Republican lawmakers have been considering a “talking filibuster,” a traditional method where senators must speak continuously to delay legislation. In contrast, the modern version only requires them to indicate their intent to filibuster, after which they can carry on with their work.
While Trump has claimed that passing this act is crucial for the GOP to maintain its majority in the midterm elections, Senator Thune has indicated that there aren’t enough votes to support that proposal:
BREAKING: Senate Leader John Thune announces the votes ARE NOT THERE for a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act — AND he doubts the ability to pass the bill through reconciliation, which would require only a simple majority
Trump mentioned convincing the 4-5 holdouts so this can get done yesterday
THUNE: “The votes aren’t there for a talking filibuster, it’s just a reality.”
On reconciliation: “Very, very difficult” and that “pieces” of the bill could be included — Thune tells Punchbowl
A vote will likely still occur, but it needs 60 votes.
This won’t go over well. That’s a fact.
? BREAKING: Senate Leader John Thune announces the votes ARE NOT THERE for a talking filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act — AND he doubts the ability to pass the bill through reconciliation, which would require only a simple majority
Trump mentioned convincing the 4-5… pic.twitter.com/drE6ythGIs
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 10, 2026
Thune stated that a “talking filibuster” isn’t the solution many think it is, because senators can propose unlimited amendments:
“What people don’t realize is that it’s unlimited debate but also unlimited amendments,” Thune said, according to The Hill. “You have to have unified support not only for the goal but also for defeating amendments that would undo the legislation.”
We’ve examined both the advantages and disadvantages of eliminating the filibuster, and opinions remain deeply divided. It’s undeniably frustrating that our legislature struggles to pass a bill that enjoys overwhelming public support—the support that truly matters: the voters.
While some may be irritated by the Republican leadership’s inability to break the deadlock, it’s crucial to recognize that, ultimately, it’s the Democrats who are ignoring the will of the people. The only way to put an end to their antics is to secure a decisive victory in the midterms.
If we don’t, we’ll only witness more gridlock as the minority party continues to block essential legislation.
