GOP senator warns gutting Senate filibuster to pass SAVE America Act is a 'foolish and lazy idea'

[Dulcinea]

(CNN) Sen. Thom Tillis on Thursday blasted talk of ending the Senate filibuster to pass the “SAVE America Act” as a “foolish and lazy idea” and warned his party that pushing the president’s priority through the so-called talking filibuster would hand control to Democrats.

“I have made it crystal clear that I will never vote to do this. Eliminating the filibuster is a foolish and lazy idea pushed by politicians seeking short-term gain at the expense of causing irreparable long-term harm to our nation,” Tillis said in a statement.

The retiring North Carolina Republican’s comments come as the Senate is locked in marathon debate over the legislation that is expected to extend into the weekend, though the bill is expected to fail in the end. One of President Donald Trump’s top legislative priorities, the bill would require voters to show ID and proof of US citizenship in federal elections, but it doesn’t have the support needed to pass.

Tillis has been vocal in his opposition to any attempt to try and force the bill through the Senate.

https://www.cnn.com/2026/03/19/politics/save-america-act-tillis-warning-filibuster

[JT45242]

1. Translation: when we lose the senate. We will not be able to block all progress anymore

Returning to historical precedent would completely undermine the Republican party strategy to obstruct everything in the Senate so that they can call the majority party the "do nothing Democrats" and let on resonate in the echo chamber of 95 percent of all media beholden to right wing interests.

[dem4decades]

2. The SAVE Republicans Act, if passed our democracy will be over. And that's what they want.

[LymphocyteLover]

4. not necessarily-- I think MAGA voters will suffer more than Dems

who is more motivated to vote right now or likely to have passports? Dems or Republicans?

[dem4decades]

5. I disagree, this like most voter suppression laws target Democratic strongholds. Many African Americans

don't have access to historic records (for obvious reasons) and will be punished at the voting booth.

[LymphocyteLover]

6. how many poor white voters and elderly white voters have that access or will bother to vote?

The WSJ came out against the SAVE act because they know more Dems are more educated on average than Repugs and more likely to have the right docs

[Renew Deal]

3. Republicans clinging to the fillibuster shows who it truly benefits.

Democrats should get rid of it as soon as they can.

[LymphocyteLover]

7. It is funny that they could certainly vote to overturn the filibuster here and haven't, despite their king haranguing

them.

Is it more about tradition or that they really don't want this bill to pass?

[Wonder Why]

8. Tom, your backbone came too little and too late.