What happened in the Senate
The SAVE Act, which passed the House with unanimous Republican support, is sitting idle in the Senate because Senate Majority Leader John Thune says there are not enough votes to change the filibuster rule and force passage. Thune told reporters the plan to use a standing filibuster to lower the threshold to a simple majority is not realistic. In short, he is not signing on as a co sponsor and he is not promising to bring the bill up in a way that would require only 50 votes for final passage.
Rep. Luna did not hold back
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna publicly ripped into Thune for effectively agreeing with Senate Democrat leader Chuck Schumer that the bill should not even get a floor vote. Luna called the stance very disturbing and said Senate leaders are ignoring the will of Republican voters and the majority of Americans who favor voter ID and proof of citizenship for federal ballots. Her tone was sharp but focused on the policy and the politics behind the decision.
Why the SAVE Act matters
The SAVE Act seeks to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal elections. Supporters argue this is common sense and bipartisan common ground. Critics say procedural hurdles and the filibuster make it hard to pass. Luna pointed out that voter ID has broad support across party lines and described the bill as low hanging fruit that should be easy to enact if leadership cared more about results than excuses.
Leadership versus voters
Luna accused Thune of riding President Donald Trump s coattails to win election while failing to deliver on priorities that voters expect from Republicans. Her message was direct. If you campaign as a Republican and benefit from Republican momentum, Luna said, then you should be willing to fight for Republican policy wins instead of siding with Democrats who have no interest in the bill.
Filibuster fight and the math
The debate centers on whether to invoke the standing filibuster rule so the chamber could pass the bill with 50 votes instead of the 60 votes the current filibuster threshold requires. Luna and some GOP allies urged Senate Republicans to use every procedural tool to force Democrats to take a public stance. Thune insists there simply are not enough votes to change the rules or to overcome a 60 vote requirement, and he has not committed to pressing the issue further.
Political consequences and the message
Luna framed this as a test of Republican leadership and credibility. Her warning to senators who benefit from conservative turnout was blunt but strategic. Voters want results on election integrity and other issues that drove Republican victories. If leaders choose caution and compromise over action, Luna argued, they risk alienating the grassroots and handing Democrats a procedural win disguised as bipartisanship.
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I do NOT trust Thune. He allowed a non-elected female to over rule him in a 2A ruling when he could have fired her. He has no balls!
Want Voter ID? Want middle class and senior tax cuts made permanent? Better give the Senate at least 61 seats in the Senate.