Senate Leader Thune Joins ‘SAVE America Act’ as Co-Sponsor in Major Boost for Election Bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has officially signed on as a co-sponsor of the SAVE America Act, a move that proponents signal is a decisive shift in the legislative battle to overhaul federal voting laws. Thune’s support aligns the Senate GOP leadership with the measure, significantly increasing the pressure to bypass standard procedural hurdles and bring the bill to a floor vote.
Breaking the 60-Vote Threshold
Thune’s sponsorship is being hailed as a critical step toward securing the necessary support to pass the legislation. While standard Senate rules require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, the momentum is shifting toward a “standing” or “talking” filibuster strategy. If successful, this procedural maneuver would force opponents to physically hold the Senate floor to block the bill, potentially allowing Republicans to eventually pass the measure with a simple majority—the “50 votes needed” referenced by supporters—rather than the usual supermajority.
Deep Search: What is the SAVE America Act?
The SAVE America Act represents an “enhanced” version of the previously introduced Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Spearheaded by Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), the legislation aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (often called the “Motor Voter” law).
Proof of Citizenship: The core provision mandates that individuals provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—in person when registering to vote in federal elections.
Photo ID Requirement: Unlike its predecessor, this new iteration adds a strict requirement for voters to present photo identification when casting a ballot.
Voter Roll Purges: The bill requires states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls and establishes a pipeline for states to cross-check voter lists with the Department of Homeland Security.
Background and Legislative Context
The bill comes amidst a broader push by GOP lawmakers to tighten election integrity measures following the 2024 election cycle. The House of Representatives passed a similar version of the bill in 2025, but it stalled in the Senate. The reintroduction of the “SAVE America Act” in 2026 with Thune’s backing signals a renewed, unified GOP effort to enact these changes before the midterm elections. Supporters argue that the current “honor system,” where voters attest to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, is insufficient to prevent non-citizen voting.
Objections and Concerns
The bill faces fierce opposition from Democrats and voting rights advocacy groups, who argue the legislation is less about security and more about suppression.
Disenfranchisement Risks: Critics point out that millions of eligible American citizens—particularly the elderly, students, and low-income voters—do not possess a valid passport or ready access to a birth certificate.
Impact on Women: Organizations like The 19th have highlighted that the strict documentation requirements could disproportionately affect married women whose current legal names do not match their birth certificates, requiring them to produce marriage licenses or other legal documents to vote.
“Dead on Arrival”: Democratic leadership has previously labeled the bill “dead on arrival,” arguing that instances of non-citizen voting are already illegal and statistically negligible. They view the “talking filibuster” strategy as a dangerous erosion of Senate norms designed to force through partisan legislation.
With Thune now officially on board, the call to “finish the job” has intensified, setting the stage for a potential high-stakes showdown on the Senate floor.
denvergazette.com
conservativeactionproject.com
cbsnews.com
5calls.org
19thnews.org
senate.gov
democracydocket.com
newsweek.com
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nonprofitvote.org
