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By Mandy Taheri
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President Donald Trump weighed in after Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican facing a competitive reelection bid, changed his stance on the filibuster as Republicans push to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) and candidates vie for Trump’s endorsement.
Why It Matters
Cornyn and other senators have long opposed abolishing the filibuster, a Senate rule that effectively requires 60 votes to end debate and move most legislation to a final vote. Democratic threats of filibuster, combined with GOP resistance to changing Senate rules, has so far blocked passage of the SAVE America Act, and Trump said on Sunday that he would refuse to sign any other bill until the act reaches his desk.
Read More on Politics
The Texas GOP Senate primary advanced to a runoff after neither Cornyn nor his challenger Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton won a majority, setting up a nationally watched intraparty contest that could signal the Republican Party’s direction in a critical Sun Belt state and determine who faces Democratic nominee James Talarico in November.
Traditionally, the party that does not hold the White House tends to perform better in the midterms. Democrats face a difficult map to take back control of the Senate, needing to hold all of their seats and flip four Republican seats. Republicans hold slim majorities in both chambers of Congress and are seeking to maintain that control in the midterms.
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What To Know
Earlier this week, Cornyn reversed his long-held support for the filibuster in a New York Post op-ed titled "Why the SAVE Act matters more than the filibuster."
In his article, published Wednesday, Cornyn said he “support[s] 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.”
He added, "process matters, but outcomes matter more: The Democrats’ assault on election integrity and national security must be stopped."
Trump told NBC News that he “very much appreciate[s]” Cornyn’s support of getting the SAVE America Act passed through any means.
Asked about his endorsement in the Texas Senate race, Trump said on Saturday that “A lot has to do with the SAVE America Act. A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country.” He did not say how the SAVE America Act would affect his endorsement decision.
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The legislation, backed by allies of Trump and framed by the White House as part of a broader “SAVE America Act” agenda, has drawn support from advocates of tighter eligibility verification, as well as criticism from Democrats, voting access groups and policy analysts who warn about administrative burdens and potential disenfranchisement.
When asked if Cornyn’s move had persuaded Trump to endorse him, the president said, “I don’t know, but we have to get it passed.”
Trump added, “I’ll let you know that over the next week or so” when asked whether he would endorse Cornyn, adding “I like him. I always liked him.”
However, he also told NBC News that he’s not entirely sure Cornyn is the best GOP candidate for the race, saying, “I’ve heard that. I don’t know. I mean, I don’t know. I don’t know that to be a fact.”
He added, “I like both candidates very much," later saying, "I think they both win."
What People Are Saying
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said on the Senate floor on Thursday: “Next week I will be bringing the SAVE America Act to the floor, and we’ll be having a full and robust debate. I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation. I can guarantee you that we are going to put Democrats on the record, that they will be forced to defend their outrageous positions on these issues.”
Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat, said in a Friday X post: “First, Trump wanted to redraw districts to favor Republicans. Then he wanted to cancel mail-in ballots. Now, he wants to pass the SAVE Trump Act — a bill that makes it HARDER for you to register to vote. Are you noticing a pattern? They want to steal our upcoming elections.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a March 8 X post: “The SAVE Act is Jim Crow 2.0. It would disenfranchise tens of millions of people. If Trump is saying he won’t sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed, then so be it: there will be total gridlock in the Senate. Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on X on Tuesday: "John Cornyn is a coward. He is SILENT about abolishing the filibuster and actually fighting to pass the Save America Act. He's an unserious establishment politician who doesn't care supporting the President, election integrity, or stopping child mutilation surgery."
Senator John Cornyn on X on Wednesday: "I don’t hate anyone. I just can’t let a corrupt person like @KenPaxtonTX jeopardize a safe Republican Senate seat, be an anchor on down ballot races, divert resources from other Senate pickup opportunities, and jeopardize @realDonaldTrump agenda in his last two years of his current term."
What Happens Next
The GOP runoff election is set for May 26, with the winner taking on Democrat Talarico, who last week won the Texas Democratic primary for U.S. Senate.
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