Senate could force talking filibuster on SAVE Act: Sarah Bedford
A Washington Examiner piece reports that some Senate Republicans are exploring a “talking filibuster” as a way to pass teh Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act) without fully scrapping the filibuster.
– The House previously passed the SAVE Act, with one Democrat joining Republicans, but the measure’s prospects in the Senate appear unlikely given GOP resistance to eliminating the 60-vote threshold.
– The proposed talking filibuster would force lengthy floor debates and possible amendments, possibly stalling the bill for weeks and compelling Democrats to defend why they oppose the voter ID provisions.
– Investigations editor Sarah Bedford argues the tactic could address an 80-20 issue and that Republicans’ perceived lack of urgency is frustrating voters who want action on voting-security measures.
– Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has opposed the SAVE Act, warning that imposing new federal requirements before Election Day could undermine election integrity.
– The article also notes strong public backing from some conservatives, including Senator Ted cruz, who urged using procedural tools to weaken or bypass the traditional filibuster and pass the bill.
GOP Senate could ‘force’ a talking filibuster to pass SAVE Act: Sarah Bedford
Washington Examiner investigations editor Sarah Bedford said Wednesday that there is a way for Senate Republicans to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act “without totally getting rid of the filibuster.”
The SAVE Act passed the House on Wednesday with one Democratic lawmaker joining Republicans in support. However, it is widely considered unlikely to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold a three-seat majority. Most Senate Republicans are resistant to the idea of eliminating the 60-vote filibuster.
Bedford said there are Republicans proposing a “talking filibuster” for this legislation, describing it as “the old-fashioned way.”
“Don’t do the ‘bring in the rule and having to get to closure to end debate,’ but force a really long debate that could take weeks even, force Democratic members to give those hours-long speeches on the Senate floor about why they don’t want a voter ID law that could drag on for a long time,” Bedford said on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
“They could offer amendments, there could be a lot of ways that gets bogged down, but some conservatives who really want to see this passed without totally getting rid of the filibuster have sort of looked at this and suggested maybe a talking filibuster could be one way to get this through the Senate,” she said.
Bedford also said the SAVE Act being “dead on arrival” in the Senate would be “a real failure” for Senate Republican leadership. She said the legislation addresses an “80-20 issue,” and that the Republican Party’s lack of urgency to pass it is why voters are frustrated with Republican lawmakers who “don’t fight for the things they say they support.”
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has already vowed to oppose the SAVE Act, saying on X that imposing new federal requirements before Election Day this year “would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies.”
Meanwhile, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said in a video posted on X that his Republican colleagues should use “every procedural tool” to “nuke what’s called the zombie filibuster.” He explained that everyone is allowed “to talk as long as they want,” and Republicans should require Democrats to “talk as long as they can.”
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