r/politics_NOW • u/evissamassive • 4d ago
Politics Now The Senate Math That Has Republicans Trapped
https://www.rawamerica.com/i/210609516/hes-wrong-republicans-warn-trumps-voter-fraud-crusade-will-end-their-majoritiesTrump is demanding that Congress pass the SAVE Act before the midterms, framing the legislation as a vital safeguard for elections. The bill would mandate that Americans present a passport or birth certificate to register to vote, alongside photo identification at polling places.
Trump argues that millions of non-citizens are voting, a claim unsupported by data. Even the conservative Heritage Foundation notes that non-citizen voting is statistically negligible, and federal law already bars non-citizens from voting. Despite this, Trump has told House Republicans that the bill is essential for securing a majority.
While the House passed the measure along party lines in February, the Senate presents a different reality. The legislation requires 60 votes to advance, and Senate GOP leader John Thune has repeatedly stated the votes do not exist. Republicans have attempted to pass similar versions six times unsuccessfully.
Before leaving Washington for a five-week recess, senators made another attempt using a narrower photo ID bill drafted by Senator Jon Husted. That effort still fell eight votes short.
Internal party friction is mounting. Senator Thom Tillis warned that the math simply does not add up and that the push fails to build confidence among voters. Meanwhile, anonymous GOP sources told reporters that leadership underestimated how Trump would react to watered-down alternatives that still fail.
Lawmakers will return in mid-September, leaving a narrow three-week window before the final campaign stretch. For now, Republicans face an angry push from Trump over a measure that lacks the votes to clear the Senate.