Trump pumps brakes on Senate budget plan, delaying GOP SAVE America push
Senate Republicans wrapped up their early‑Saturday session in Washington with a mixed record of accomplishments and unfinished business. While they managed to pass a short‑term funding bill that runs through early December, approved a stringent Russia sanctions package and confirmed Todd Blanche as acting attorney general, the chamber left the SAVE America Act on the table.
The SAVE America Act, a voter‑integrity measure that has been a focal point for former President Donald Trump, remained unpassed despite repeated pledges from some GOP senators to stay in session until September to see it through. Senator Mike Lee of Utah emphasized that the bill is not abandoned, saying it is “a matter of time,” and added that having the votes now would be preferable, though the current Senate lacks the necessary support.
Senator Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, who recently assumed leadership of the Senate Budget Committee, noted that Democrats’ unwillingness to back any voter‑integrity provision is the primary obstacle. After a conversation with Trump, Johnson, Lee and Senator Rick Scott of Florida met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune to reassess the strategy. Johnson said Trump advised the group to “work diligently through August into September” to craft a stronger budget reconciliation bill that could bypass a Democratic filibuster.
Republicans hope to use the reconciliation process to advance the SAVE America Act while also boosting defense spending. Johnson cited War Secretary Pete Hegseth’s argument for an additional $350 billion in military aid, pointing to ongoing conflict in Iran and dwindling munitions supplies. Whether linking state incentives to the SAVE Act will survive the Senate parliamentarian’s review remains uncertain.
When Congress reconvenes the third week of September, the Senate will turn its attention to two large pieces of legislation that stalled before the recess: a cryptocurrency regulatory framework and a bill concerning name‑image‑likeness compensation in college sports. After that work, senators are scheduled to leave again for most of October to campaign ahead of the early‑November midterm elections.
In addition to the stalled SAVE Act, the Senate missed an opportunity to vote on canceling the August recess. Lee had pressed for a formal roll‑call vote on the issue, but ultimately accepted a voice vote in which he quietly opposed the break. Other items that did not advance included a voter‑ID proposal from Senator Jon Husted of Ohio, the Clarity Act on cryptocurrency, and Senator Ted Cruz’s NIL legislation.
Despite the setbacks, Senate Republicans highlighted their ability to keep the government funded, impose new sanctions on Russia, and secure a DOJ leadership confirmation as tangible gains from the session. The path forward for the SAVE America Act will depend on reconciling GOP priorities with Democratic resistance and the procedural limits of the budget reconciliation process.
