'Kill the filibuster': Trump says 5 or 6 GOP senators are blocking SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump called on Senate Republicans to "kill the filibuster" as he accused a handful of GOP senators of standing in the way of passing the SAVE America Act, which he described as his top legislative priority.

His comments underscored frustration within his own party rather than with Democrats alone. Trump argued Republican divisions, not just Democratic opposition, were preventing the election measure from advancing.

Trump presses GOP on SAVE America Act

Speaking with CNBC's Joe Kernen on Thursday, July 2, Trump said he wanted Senate Republicans to move quickly on the legislation, which he repeatedly described as critical to election integrity.

"What I'd really like is for them to... kill the filibuster. Terminate the filibuster," Trump said when asked how Senate Majority Leader John Thune could get the SAVE America Act passed.

Trump argued that ending the Senate's 60-vote threshold would allow Republicans to move the bill and other priorities.

"When they terminate the filibuster, then they'll immediately approve the SAVE America, and 100 other things. You could sit down all day long and vote, and you'd have it," he said.

He then turned his criticism toward members of his own party.

"The sad part is, we probably have five or six senators that won't vote for it, Republican senators and all of the Democrats," Trump said. "Their policy is no good... but the one thing they, unfortunately, stick together."

Trump says SAVE is his top priority

Earlier in the interview, Trump said the SAVE America Act mattered more than other legislation currently before Congress.

"I think the SAVE America Act is the most important thing that we have... maybe for many years back and many years forward," he said.

Trump described the proposal as requiring "voter identification with a photo," "proof of citizenship," and "no mail-in ballots, except for the military," while adding that exceptions should exist for illness, disability, or vacations.

Asked whether he would sign a separate housing bill, Trump indicated he wanted action on the SAVE America Act first.

"The housing bill is fine," he said, adding, "I'd rather not sign anything until we sign the SAVE America Act."

Trump contrasts the GOP with Democrats

Trump also used the interview to criticize what he sees as a lack of Republican unity compared with Democrats.

"Republicans want to show everybody how they're not controlled, how they're so honorable," he said, arguing Democrats consistently vote together on key issues.

Pointing to Supreme Court voting patterns, Trump added, "The three justices vote as a block... Whereas our people, and we have six, but they move around a little bit," using that comparison to reinforce his argument that Republicans should unite behind his legislative agenda.