Anna Paulina Luna warns fellow Republican John Thune over SAVE Act: 'Those are your options'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK:  A brewing fight between House conservatives and Senate leadership spilled into public view on Saturday, March 14, after Florida Republican Anna Paulina Luna warned Senate Majority Leader John Thune that lawmakers in the House could block Senate-backed legislation unless a voter identification bill is brought up for debate.

Speaking during an appearance on Fox News' 'Saturday in America', Luna said Republicans in the House are prepared to take aggressive steps to force the Senate to address the voter ID proposal known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act.

The bill would require voters in federal elections to present documentary proof of citizenship before casting a ballot. 

However, the measure has yet to receive a vote in the Senate.

Anna Paulina Luna warns John Thune

Luna said the delay has frustrated lawmakers who see the proposal as a key election integrity measure.

Addressing Thune directly, she warned that the House could stall legislation originating from the Senate unless movement happens.

“Leader Thune, I’m asking you directly to stand up for the American people. Force your senators to do their job,” Luna said.

“But in the event you don’t, you will not have any legislation passed and we will attach it to FISA. So those are your options.”

During the segment, Luna was joined by Texas Republican Brandon Gill, who indicated that a sizable bloc of House Republicans is prepared to back that strategy.

Gill suggested that between 40 and 50 Republican lawmakers would be willing to refuse support for Senate-backed measures if the upper chamber continues to delay action on the SAVE Act.

The lawmakers signaled that they are willing to use procedural leverage in the House to pressure the Senate into scheduling debate on the proposal.

Luna said another possible path would involve linking the voter ID measure to a separate national security bill, specifically legislation connected to the renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

Such a move would force senators to confront the issue as part of a broader legislative package.

Anna Paulina Luna questions John Thune's priorities

Luna also criticized the Senate for what she described as misplaced priorities, arguing that lawmakers had time for ceremonial events but not for debate on the voter ID proposal.

“The Senate said they didn’t have time to debate this,” she said, before pointing to an event held on Capitol Hill that featured dogs dressed in Mardi Gras-themed costumes.

The gathering, dubbed “Doggi Gras,” was organized by retiring North Carolina senator Thom Tillis and involved dogs parading through the Senate.

According to Luna, the contrast shows what she views as an unnecessary delay on the legislation. “So there’s no excuse for not embracing the standing filibusters,” she said.

Despite the possibility of a legislative standoff, Luna insisted that House conservatives are prepared to continue pressing the issue.

“We’re willing to hold the line,” she said, arguing that requiring proof of citizenship for voting enjoys broad public support.