Trump vows SAVE Act will pass Senate 'one way or another', challenges Dems to 'talking filibuster'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is turning up the heat on Senate Democrats, vowing the controversial SAVE Act will pass “one way or another” and challenging opponents to mount an old-school talking filibuster if they want to stop it.

In a lengthy Truth Social post shared Thursday, Trump made it clear he intends to push the voter ID legislation through the Senate after it cleared the House, framing the looming fight as a test of Democratic resolve.

Trump doubles down on SAVE Act push

Trump made it clear he is ready for a Senate showdown, using a classic political movie to make his point.

“We are going to have the Save America Act, one way or the other, after approval by Congress through the very proper use of the Filibuster or, at minimum, by a Talking Filibuster, à la Mr Smith Goes to Washington,” Trump wrote.

The reference to the 1939 film underscored Trump’s message: if Democrats want to block the bill, they should be forced to physically hold the Senate floor rather than rely on modern procedural shortcuts.

The SAVE Act - a voter ID proposal that has already passed the House - now awaits action in the Senate, where it could face unified Democratic opposition.

What Trump says the bill would require

In his post, Trump laid out the core provisions he wants enacted, presenting them as necessary election safeguards.

“1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. (IDENTIFICATION!). 2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER TO VOTE. 3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!),” he wrote.

Trump also accused Democrats of resisting the measure for partisan reasons, escalating his rhetoric around election integrity.

“We cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER ID any longer,” he wrote. “These are horrible, disingenuous CHEATERS. They have all sorts of reasons why it shouldn’t be passed, and then boldly laugh in the backrooms after their ridiculous presentations.”

Mike Lee echoes call for tougher filibuster rules

Trump’s push comes as Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) has been making a similar argument about restoring the traditional talking filibuster.

Speaking earlier this week in an interview with Fox News, Lee said the modern filibuster has become too easy to use.

“Over the last few decades, we’ve made it way too easy to where people can filibuster in their sleep or while on vacation, while at recess, at a bar, whatever. They don’t have to show up and speak,” Lee said Monday.

He added that lawmakers who want to block legislation should have to physically defend their position on the Senate floor.

“All we’re asking is that if you want to filibuster this bill, you should have to show up, stand up, seek recognition and speak,” Lee said.