McCarthy: Trump Will Use "Everything He Can" to Push SAVE America Act in Senate

As internal disagreements over the SAVE America Act continue to challenge Republican lawmakers in Congress, former President Donald Trump's initiative to advance the stalled election legislation has gained support from a prominent figure.

"He’s going to try everything he can to make sure he passes that through," former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy stated in a brief discussion outside the U.S. Capitol.

McCarthy's remarks followed Trump's unexpected decision on Wednesday to cancel a signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill. This move was intended to exert pressure on the Republican-controlled Senate to take action on the SAVE America Act.

The cancellation surprised many Republican legislators, some of whom were engaged in a press conference praising the housing bill's passage when Trump's announcement appeared on social media.

Despite the unexpected tactic, Trump has consistently emphasized the election measure as his primary legislative goal. The proposed bill mandates proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections and introduces stricter voter identification requirements.

Legislative Standoff in the Senate

Momentum for the SAVE America Act has faltered in the Senate. Republican leadership there maintains that there are insufficient votes for its passage, largely due to broad Democratic opposition. Additionally, Senate Republicans have been reluctant to eliminate the legislative filibuster, which necessitates a 60-vote supermajority to pass legislation.

Amidst this legislative impasse, a faction of conservative House lawmakers temporarily halted floor proceedings in an attempt to compel the Senate to act on the election bill.

However, the Senate adjourned on Wednesday for a two-week recess in observance of the July 4 holiday, leaving the measure in an uncertain state until legislators reconvene.

Broader Legislative Priorities and the Housing Bill

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives has yet to approve a version of the SAVE America Act that incorporates several of the former president's additional priorities. These include measures to restrict mail-in voting, provisions prohibiting individuals identified as male from participating in women's sports, and bans on child sex change procedures.

Regarding the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Trump has not indicated whether he will sign the bill, even though it likely possesses a veto-proof majority.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, informed reporters on Thursday that the housing legislation had been forwarded to the White House for Trump's signature following a meeting with the former president.

Trump now has a 10-day period to either sign the package into law or veto it. If no action is taken, the legislation will automatically become law at the conclusion of this 10-day timeframe.