President Donald Trump says he will refuse to sign any new legislation until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act, dramatically raising the stakes in an already tense standoff on Capitol Hill.
Trump made the announcement Sunday in a post on Truth Social, praising conservative activist Scott Pressler for advocating the use of a talking filibuster to force the bill through the Senate.
“Great Job by hard working Scott Pressler on Fox & Friends talking about using the Filibuster, or Talking Filibuster, in order to pass THE SAVE AMERICA ACT,” Trump wrote. He added that the measure enjoys support from “88% of voters” and must move forward immediately.
“It supersedes everything else,” Trump continued. “MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.”
In an escalation of pressure on Congress, Trump declared he would halt approvals of other legislation until the bill is passed.
“I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed,” he wrote.
Trump also insisted the Senate adopt the bill in its full form rather than a compromise version. In his post, he listed several provisions he wants included, such as mandatory voter ID, proof of citizenship to vote, limits on mail-in ballots, and policies related to women’s sports and medical procedures for minors.
The SAVE America Act faces a steep challenge in the Senate. Republicans currently hold 53 seats, meaning they would still need seven Democratic votes to overcome the chamber’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Some Republicans have suggested forcing a talking filibuster, which would require Democrats to hold the floor continuously to block the bill. Supporters argue it would highlight Democratic opposition to voter ID requirements that polls show are widely supported by the public.
However, the strategy has divided Republicans. A talking filibuster would require senators to remain on the floor for extended periods to maintain a quorum, something several longtime GOP lawmakers have warned could consume valuable legislative time.
Former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is among the Republicans who have resisted the idea. McConnell has not signed on as a supporter of the SAVE America Act and has expressed concern about the time commitment such a maneuver would demand.
The situation could become even more complicated if Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma leaves the Senate to serve as the next Secretary of Homeland Security, a move that would temporarily shrink the GOP’s Senate majority.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans are also grappling with a separate issue: funding the Department of Homeland Security, which has contributed to a partial government shutdown.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso said passing DHS funding remains a top priority.
“We’re going to have a vote on this,” Barrasso said on “Sunday Morning Futures.” “But in terms of what the president is willing to sign, we need to get the Department of Homeland Security funded.”
Barrasso warned that global security threats make DHS funding urgent.
“The greatest threat to the American people today is terrorism,” he said, citing concerns about lone-wolf attacks, sleeper cells, and cyber threats tied to Iran.
Even if the bill reaches the Senate floor, gaining Democratic support appears unlikely. Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania is viewed as the only Democrat who might potentially vote with Republicans, leaving the GOP well short of the votes needed to break a filibuster.
Barrasso argued the legislation is straightforward.
“You want to make sure that only citizens can vote,” he said. “You want to make sure when people show up, they have a photo ID to prove they are who they say they are.”
He compared voter ID requirements to everyday activities that already require identification, such as boarding a plane or buying alcohol, and said public support for such rules is strong.
