Thune Says GOP Not Even Close
Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that Republicans do not have sufficient votes to change the Senate’s filibuster rules in order to advance legislation strengthening voter registration requirements.
Thune responded to questions about the House-approved SAVE Act, which would mandate verified proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—before individuals can register to vote in federal elections.
According to Thune, while support exists for election integrity measures, there is no realistic path to lowering the Senate’s 60-vote threshold to pass the bill.
“There aren’t anywhere close to the votes,” Thune said, making clear that altering Senate rules is not under serious consideration.
Support for Election Integrity, Not Rule Changes
Thune emphasized that he supports federal standards requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration, a position shared by many Senate Republicans. However, he firmly rejected the idea of bypassing the filibuster to achieve that goal.
During his 2024 campaign for Senate majority leader, Thune pledged to protect the filibuster—a commitment he says remains broadly supported within the Republican conference.
Efforts to override Senate precedent through a simple majority vote are often referred to as the “nuclear option,” a move widely viewed as extreme due to its long-term impact on the institution.
“That proposal doesn’t have a future,” Thune said.
GOP Discusses Alternative Approaches
Thune’s remarks followed a closed-door Senate Republican meeting where Mike Lee urged colleagues to consider enforcing a more traditional “talking filibuster.”
Under that approach, Democrats opposing the SAVE Act or other legislation backed by Donald Trump would be required to continuously speak on the Senate floor to block a vote.
Thune acknowledged the discussion but warned such a strategy could severely disrupt Senate operations.
“Forcing continuous debate ties up the floor indefinitely,” he said. “There’s always an opportunity cost.”
Senate Leaders Warn of Institutional Fallout
Several senior Republicans have raised concerns that reinterpreting filibuster rules—even indirectly—could fundamentally change how the Senate operates.
Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham cautioned that weakening the filibuster could erase protections for the minority party and turn the Senate into a strictly majoritarian body.
“Filibuster changes change the Senate,” Graham said. “Because the Senate becomes the House.”
The Bigger Picture
While Senate Republicans remain united in supporting voter citizenship verification and election integrity reforms, leadership appears unwilling to sacrifice Senate norms to advance the legislation.
For now, the SAVE Act faces an uphill battle in the upper chamber, as GOP leaders prioritize institutional stability over procedural shortcuts—despite strong conservative backing for tighter voter registration laws.
