Republican Senate majority leader John Thune came under renewed pressure last night to change the rules to force a vote on the Save America act, a sprawling bill that would upend elections for American voters amid the midterms.
President Donald Trump delivered a blunt message for Thune to reporters outside the White House on Wednesday:
He's got to be a leader.
The comments came after the president said he would not sign any other legislation until the Save America act came to his desk to sign. And Trump has the support of several in his party as he attempts to bulldozer through the changes.
Texas senator John Cornyn publicly backed changing the filibuster rules in order to help pass the bill. He suggested bringing back a "talking filibuster", where senators must hold the floor to block legislation.
Meanwhile, Wisconsin senator Ron Johnson called for a test vote on the filibuster, arguing it would force Democrats to go "on the record". He added that Republicans should consider scrapping the rule if Democrats will not help pass the bill.
I've got colleagues who just simply won't believe the Democrats will actually do it, just because two of them held out last time - those [two] who've been purged from their party
So let's get them on the record. Let's -- -[make the] first vote out, 'let's end the filibuster' - and just see what they do.
Thune, from South Dakota, said he planned to bring the bill up for a vote next week, but that would mean it would fail - he does not have 60 votes to overcome the filibuster rule and vote on the bill outright, and the talking filibuster isn't a feasible option.
While the House approved a version of the bill, the Senate does not have the votes because it would need 60 votes to move forward because of the filibuster rule.
Among the provisions of the Save America act: a requirement to provide documented proof of US citizenship to register to vote (such as a passport or birth certificate); a voter ID requirement for casting a ballot; a prohibition on states registering people to vote unless they provide such documentation at the time of registration; requirements for states to ensure only US citizens are registered; a demand that states turn their voter rolls over to the federal government; and an allowance for private parties to sue election officials if anyone registers to vote without presenting documentary proof of citizenship, as well as potential criminal penalties.