Senate Majority Leader John Thune is resisting President Trump’s demand that Republicans cancel their August recess until they pass sweeping election legislation, saying the chamber still lacks a workable path to move the bill forward.
Trump called on Thune to keep senators in Washington until they approve the SAVE America Act or eliminate the legislative filibuster blocking it. Republicans hold a 53–47 Senate majority but generally need 60 votes to advance the legislation over Democratic opposition.
Thune said he would support postponing the recess if supporters could demonstrate how the bill would pass, but noted that senators have already voted on it several times without producing the necessary support. He has also rejected calls to eliminate the filibuster, while several Republican senators continue pressing leadership to keep the chamber in session.
The legislation would require people registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and require voters to present photo identification at the polls. Supporters describe the provisions as election safeguards, while opponents warn that eligible voters who lack passports, birth certificates or other readily available documents could face new barriers.
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Trump said Monday that his relationship with Thune remains “fine” and that he has not considered replacing him. But the confrontation is widening into a larger test of Republican unity, Senate rules, and the party’s election strategy as lawmakers approach an August recess scheduled to begin August 7.
