Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has publicly stated that the SAVE America Act—a crucial measure for election integrity that requires proof of citizenship and a photo ID for voting—is more important than maintaining the longstanding filibuster rule.
This marks a notable change in his stance, especially as he seeks an endorsement from President Trump in his competitive primary runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R).
Cornyn’s shift was expressed in an op-ed published in the New York Post on Wednesday. In the piece, he reflects on his previous support for the 60-vote threshold but acknowledges that if Democrats regain the majority, they will likely eliminate the filibuster to push through their extreme agenda. He also points out that the current rules are being used to suppress an agenda that aligns with the preferences of a vast majority of the American people.
“When the reality on the ground changes, leaders must take stock and adapt,” writes Cornyn. “Today, Democrats are weaponizing the Senate’s rules to block the SAVE America Act, defund the Department of Homeland Security, and hurt the American people — all to spite President Donald Trump.”
Not one falsehood in that.
CORNYN has a new op ed saying the SAVE America Act is more important than the filibuster.
“For many years, I believed that if the US Senate scrapped the filibuster, Texas and our nation would stand to lose more than we would gain.
“My fellow conservatives and I have proudly…
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) March 11, 2026
Cornyn noted that Democrats had previously attempted to eliminate the filibuster in a bid to “increase election fraud.” In contrast, the SAVE America Act would significantly reduce election fraud.
“It would make it easy to vote but harder to cheat, by requiring proof of citizenship and voter ID,” the senator writes. “These basic, commonsense protections are massively popular with the American people — and the fact that the radical left apparently sees them as such a threat to their chances in November truly gives their game away.”
We are aware of all of this. Is this revelation too little, too late for Cornyn? Critics have pointed out the suspicious timing of Cornyn’s change in stance, especially since the President has yet to endorse him in his primary runoff, particularly in regard to Paxton himself.
“John Cornyn did exactly what I predicted,” the AG mocked on X. “In one week, I’ve made him more conservative than in the past 24 years. The historic flip-flop’s great and all, but why aren’t you calling out your buddies like McConnell opposing the (SAVE America Act)?”
John Cornyn did exactly what I predicted. In one week, I've made him more conservative than in the past 24 years.
The historic flip-flop's great and all, but why aren't you calling out your buddies like McConnell opposing the bill?
Tell the American people who's opposing this. pic.twitter.com/kVjqUxkuL5
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 11, 2026
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has expressed his opposition to the “talking filibuster” as a strategy for passing the Act. Meanwhile, Senator John Cornyn voiced his support for this tactic over the weekend. Cornyn believes that critics who claim he is shifting his stance on the filibuster to gain favor with the President are mistaken.
“I’ve always been open to it,” he said in an interview with the Washington Examiner, addressing the talking filibuster. “I think, because there were people misrepresenting my position, I felt like it would be good to just be very clear.”
Who has always been crystal clear about passing the SAVE Act? That would be Paxton. His position on the importance of passing it hasn’t wavered an iota. Indeed, he is willing to stake his entire political future on it.
“The Save America Act is the most important bill the U.S. Senate could ever pass, and I’m committed to helping President Trump get it done,” he said on X. “I would consider dropping out of this race if Senate Leadership agrees to lift the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act.”
In a new statement, Paxton hammered Cornyn for his filibuster flip-flop.
“You attacked the talking filibuster as not ‘feasible’ days ago. In October, you refused to help the President abolish the filibuster and said ‘it’s a nonstarter,'” he said. “Texas deserves better than someone who only does the right thing when desperately trying to save themself.”
You attacked the talking filibuster as not "feasible" days ago.
In October, you refused to help the President abolish the filibuster and said "it's a nonstarter."
Texas deserves better than someone who only does the right thing when desperately trying to save themself. https://t.co/B718djZ08H
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 11, 2026
Cornyn’s ‘adaptation’ of the SAVE America Act is the real non-starter. He has no chance of securing Trump’s endorsement if he doesn’t do everything possible to get it passed.
The President, in an interview with NBC News, said he’s “not happy it’s (the Act) not moving” and that he has “expressed that to everyone.”
“It supersedes everything else,” he later added on Truth Social.
“After careful consideration, I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary for us to get the SAVE America Act and homeland security funding past the Democrats’ obstruction, through the Senate, and on the president’s desk for his signature,” Cornyn writes.
Let’s hope he means it.
