House Republicans are urging Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) to confront Senate Republicans regarding an election security bill, which faces slim chances of passing in the Senate. This call to action comes amidst a significant military operation against Iran initiated by the U.S. and Israel.
During a conference call on Sunday, House Republican leaders updated members on Congress’s pending responses to various issues, including a vote regarding a prolonged government shutdown affecting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It seems some members are worried that the Senate has yet to address the Protecting American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America). This proposed legislation aims to mandate that voters present valid ID and proof of citizenship in federal elections.
Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) expressed urgency during the call, saying, “If we don’t get this done, at least show we have some backbone, we’re done. The midterm elections are over.” He was among those pushing for the House to delay the Senate bill until the SAVE America Act was fully considered.
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) echoed these sentiments, lamenting the lack of enthusiasm among Republican voters ahead of November. He believes that passing the SAVE America Act could be the key to revitalizing their support. The SAVE America Act previously passed the House with unanimous support from Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas).
While Republicans argue that voter ID requirements have broad public backing, Democrats criticize the legislation as an attempt at voter suppression ahead of the upcoming midterms. It’s noted that the bill would require 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster, and given the nearly universal opposition from Democrats, its passage seems unlikely. However, House Republicans are pressing Senate Majority Leader John Thune to use a procedural tactic known as the standing filibuster to try to bypass this requirement. Thune has been cautious about this approach due to the potential for unforeseen consequences during the amendment process.
As Congress grapples with the implications of the Iranian offensive and prioritizes the safety of military personnel domestically and internationally, coordination between the House and Senate is vital. Johnson has communicated privately with Thune about the matter but is wary about publicly challenging his fellow party leaders. He voiced concerns during the call about the ramifications of internal conflicts within the party.
At one point, Johnson noted, “If you’re going to go to war with your own party in the Senate, that might have an impact. So we want to be thoughtful and careful.”
Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-Ga.) proposed combining the upcoming DHS funding vote with the SAVE America Act to compel Senate action on the bill. However, both Johnson and House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino have hesitated to pursue this strategy, given the heightened security risks following the U.S. actions in Iran. Both support the SAVE America Act but emphasize the importance of ensuring the DHS funding bill passes to maintain the agency’s national security functions during this critical time.
