A public disagreement between the White House and Senate Republican leadership drew attention Thursday after Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) responded to comments from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt about the stalled SAVE America Act.
The exchange highlights growing pressure from President Donald Trump and his administration to move one of their top election integrity priorities through the Senate before lawmakers leave Washington for the August recess.
John Thune Pushes Back On White House Comments
During a press briefing, reporters asked Thune about Leavitt’s statement that President Trump is becoming increasingly frustrated over the Senate’s inability to advance the SAVE America Act.
Thune responded by pointing to the Senate’s narrow Republican majority and the difficulty of securing enough votes.
“Perhaps she—or someone else in the administration—should start making calls and line up the votes,” Thune said. “You need 50 votes in this chamber.”
He added that Senate Democrats—not Republican leadership—have been the primary obstacle preventing the legislation from moving forward.
Thune argued that criticism should be directed at Senate Democrats, whom he said are blocking the legislation, rather than at Republicans.
He also suggested that if the White House believes additional Republican senators can be persuaded to support the measure, administration officials should contact them directly.
White House Says Trump Wants Action Before August
Leavitt told reporters earlier Thursday that President Trump wants the Senate to act quickly on the legislation.
According to the White House, the president believes the SAVE America Act is one of the administration’s highest legislative priorities and wants as much of the bill approved as possible before Congress begins its August recess.
Leavitt said President Trump addressed the issue the previous day and indicated he is growing increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress.
Leavitt argued that election security continues to receive broad public support, especially among Republican voters.
“He wants to see as much of the SAVE America passed as possible by the August recess,” she said. “He knows that’s what the American people want to see.”
She added that Trump continues to hear strong support for voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements while traveling across the country.
Leavitt said Americans want citizenship verification in federal elections and emphasized that President Trump strongly supports that position.
She concluded by praising House Republicans for advancing the legislation while urging the Senate to finish the process.
“The House did its job. The Senate needs to do its job too.”
What Is The SAVE America Act?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act is designed to strengthen election security by requiring individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
The legislation would also establish photo identification requirements for voting in federal elections.
Supporters argue the proposal would help prevent illegal voting and increase confidence in election results. Critics contend that existing election safeguards are already sufficient and argue the new requirements could make voting more difficult for some eligible citizens.
The bill has been considered by the Senate multiple times but has not received enough support to advance.
Trump Voices Frustration With The Senate
President Trump also addressed the issue during a rally in Georgia, criticizing the Senate for failing to move legislation that has already passed the House.
“The Senate is a place you send things when you want them to die,” Trump told supporters.
“We’re not going to take this any longer. I’m trying to be nice.”
The president has repeatedly urged Senate Republicans to unite behind his legislative agenda, particularly measures related to border security and election integrity.
Senate Republicans Still Lack The Votes
Despite pressure from the White House, Thune acknowledged that Republicans currently do not have enough support within their own conference to move the legislation.
“As I’ve said before, you’ve got to get to 50, and I can’t count to 50 right now,” Thune said when discussing the House-approved budget framework connected to Republican priorities.
He emphasized that Senate leadership is continuing discussions with members while also focusing on preventing a government shutdown later this year.
“We’ll have those conversations with the conference,” Thune said. “The priority is funding the government. That’s the thing we’ve got to keep our eyes on.”
Earlier this week, Thune also said the House-passed budget resolution could eventually serve as the legislative vehicle for a temporary government funding bill expected later this year.
What Happens Next?
The coming weeks could prove critical for one of President Trump’s top election priorities.
With Congress approaching its August recess, Republican leaders face increasing pressure to determine whether enough support can be assembled to move the SAVE America Act forward.
The public exchange between the White House and Senate leadership also underscores the challenges Republicans face in advancing legislation through a closely divided Senate, where every vote can determine whether a bill succeeds or stalls.
For now, the focus remains on whether Senate Republicans can reach the votes needed to advance the legislation—and whether the administration’s push will change the outcome before lawmakers leave Washington.
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