{"id":2568809,"date":"2026-02-11T14:21:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:21:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-utah-odd-couple-splitting-over-the-senate-filibuster\/"},"modified":"2026-02-11T14:22:45","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T19:22:45","slug":"the-utah-odd-couple-splitting-over-the-senate-filibuster","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-utah-odd-couple-splitting-over-the-senate-filibuster\/","title":{"rendered":"The Utah odd couple splitting over the Senate filibuster"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthe-utah-odd-couple-splitting-over-the-senate-filibuster%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2568809&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Utah\u2019s two Republican senators are at odds over the filibuster and the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE act). Senator Mike Lee backs a \u201ctalking filibuster\u201d to push SAVE, a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, and he envisions bypassing the 60-vote threshold through lengthy debate. His fellow Utah senator, John Curtis, supports the bill but opposes weakening the filibuster, calling such a move a slippery slope and a nonstarter for preserving Senate traditions. the dispute highlights a broader MAGA-versus-traditional conservative split: Lee aligns with Trump-era bold reforms, while Curtis emphasizes procedural norms and cautious governance.<\/p>\n<p>Democrats could try to stall the legislation for days, but Republicans would likely pass it with a simple majority if the filibuster were set aside, a prospect Curtis personally rejects. The two senators, who have worked together on other issues, embody two wings of the Utah GOP: Lee pushing for aggressive election and policy changes, Curtis advocating for preserving the chamber\u2019s rules. the House is also moving toward a revised SAVE act that adds a photo ID requirement, underscoring the larger push for <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >voter-integrity measures<\/a>.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">MAGA vs moderate fight over SAVE Act divides Utah senators<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2501966\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>A growing divide between <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maga\/\">MAGA<\/a> and traditional <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican-party\/\">Republicans<\/a> is playing out in Utah, a state known for its comity and Mormon genteelism, as its two GOP senators stake out opposing sides of a fight over the filibuster.<\/p>\n<p>Sen.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-lee\/\">Mike Lee<\/a> wants the Senate to revert to a &ldquo;talking filibuster&rdquo; to pass the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. His Utah colleague, Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-curtis\/\">John Curtis<\/a>, falls in a camp of Republicans who view the strategy, which sidesteps the 60 votes needed for most legislation, as a slippery slope.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4453901\/immigration-fraud-congressional-scrutiny-somali-scams\/\">Immigration fraud faces congressional scrutiny following massive Somali scams<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4453375\/senate-gop-jb-pritzker-illinois-health-records-breach\/\">Senate GOP investigating Pritzker administration over Illinois health records breach<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4452808\/chuck-grassley-secret-subpoenas-call-logs-undercut-protections\/\">Grassley says secret subpoenas for lawmakers&rsquo; call logs undercut congressional protections<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Democrats could still hold up the legislation for days, or even weeks, with a marathon of floor speeches, but Republicans would eventually be able to pass the bill with a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/blackburn-introduces-amendments-to-counter-china-and-iran\/\" title=\"Blackburn Introduces Amendments to Counter China and Iran\">simple majority vote<\/a>, a move  Curtis says defies the spirit of the filibuster as it functions today.<\/p>\n<p>He listened to a presentation Lee delivered at a Tuesday policy lunch on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act and is a cosponsor, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/senate-bill\/128\/cosponsors\">like almost every other Senate Republican<\/a>, of the legislation, but told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> that he is unwilling to weaken the filibuster to pass it.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To me, that&rsquo;s no different than ending the filibuster,&rdquo; Curtis said. &ldquo;So, it&rsquo;s a nonstarter for me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I have a tremendous amount of respect for Sen. Lee, and certainly listen to all points, but I just have a strong philosophical support of the filibuster,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>The disagreement is the latest between Lee and Curtis, who, despite representing the same state, have taken different approaches to everything from President Donald Trump&rsquo;s saber-rattling over Greenland to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Most recently, Curtis voted to fund most of the government <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.senate.gov\/legislative\/LIS\/roll_call_votes\/vote1192\/vote_119_2_00020.htm\">even as Lee voted &ldquo;no&rdquo;<\/a> over its earmarks.<\/p>\n<p>The disagreement is also a microcosm of the debate playing out between Trump&rsquo;s MAGA allies, who want to pass his agenda at all costs, and more institutionalist members focused on preserving the chamber&rsquo;s rules and traditions.<\/p>\n<p>A majority of Senate Republicans still support the filibuster and believe it benefits them disproportionately when they are in the minority. But House rebels, egged on by Trump, have joined forces with Lee to paint the filibuster as an obstacle to secure elections, mounting a pressure campaign that has the backing of House GOP leadership.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Republicans will use a half-day retreat to again discuss the talking filibuster Wednesday, the same day the House will vote on a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.congress.gov\/bill\/119th-congress\/house-bill\/7296\/text\">revised version<\/a> of the SAVE Act that also incorporates a photo ID requirement.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3878248\/where-every-senate-republican-stands-trump-end-filibuster\/\"><strong>WHERE EVERY SENATE REPUBLICAN STANDS ON TRUMP&rsquo;S CALL TO END THE FILIBUSTER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) and others who want to see the filibuster preserved argue that Lee&rsquo;s workaround would consume weeks of floor time and, due to the way debate is structured, inadvertently give Democrats the ability to force politically risky votes.<\/p>\n<p>But Lee&rsquo;s reasoning is that the Senate has always been cumbersome to navigate and that the modern filibuster and its 60-vote threshold would still be used out of convenience for most legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My point is, nothing in the Senate&rsquo;s an easy move. This one&rsquo;s certainly not,&rdquo; Lee said of the SAVE Act. &ldquo;But if we want to do this, this is how we have to go about it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Curtis enjoys a cordial relationship with Lee and has worked with him on land use and other matters important to the Utah delegation since his election to the Senate in 2024. They loosely represent two wings of the party, however, with Curtis embracing traditional conservatism and Lee more readily aligning himself with the president.<\/p>\n<p>Lee, though he has long been a thorn in the side of leadership, once fit more neatly in Curtis&rsquo;s camp, and was even publicly <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3878248\/where-every-senate-republican-stands-trump-end-filibuster\/\">on the fence<\/a> about weakening the filibuster when Trump rekindled the debate last year.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4449656\/massie-trump-litmus-test-kentucky-senate\/\"><strong>MASSIE OPPOSITION BECOMES TRUMP LITMUS TEST IN KENTUCKY SENATE RACE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>But he has shifted right since Trump&rsquo;s election to a second term, giving the president more flexibility on war powers, one of his signature issues, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BasedMikeLee\/status\/2008355068668522723?s=20\">supporting<\/a> the White House at times when Curtis has registered muted criticism.<\/p>\n<p>Curtis has been careful to avoid comparisons to his predecessor, Trump critic Mitt Romney, and has been a reliable vote for the president, but he has, at times, pushed back on the White House, rebuffing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenJohnCurtis\/status\/2009016980981117291?s=20\">the idea of a military invasion<\/a> of Greenland and criticizing Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem&rsquo;s <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenJohnCurtis\/status\/2015881366546559019?s=20\">&ldquo;premature&rdquo; comments<\/a> on the fatal shooting of Pretti by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-administration-proposing-administrative-abolishment-of-ice-report\/\" title=\"Biden Administration Proposing \u2018Administrative Abolishment\u2019 Of ICE: Report\">immigration agents<\/a> last month.<strong><br \/><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here\u2019s a paraphrase of the article:<\/p>\n<p>A growing rift is opening in Utah between MAGA-aligned and traditional Republicans as Senate colleagues Mike Lee and John Curtis take opposing stances on the filibuster and the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote. Lee argues for a \u201ctalking filibuster\u201d approach that could allow the bill to pass with a simple majority after extended debate, while Curtis\u2014who cosponsors the measure but rejects weakening the filibuster\u2014says changing the rules would undermine Senate norms. The dispute mirrors a broader intra-party split: Trump-era Republicans seeking to push his agenda vs. institutionalists protecting the chamber\u2019s procedures. Most Senate Republicans still support the filibuster, though House Republicans allied with Trump are backing Lee\u2019s push to end it for this issue. A House vote is planned on a revised SAVE Act that adds a photo ID requirement, and Senate Republicans will discuss the matter at a half-day retreat. The two Utah lawmakers have a cordial working relationship but diverge on philosophy and strategy; Lee has moved further right since Trump\u2019s election, while Curtis preserves a more traditional conservative stance and has occasionally pushed back on White House positions.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019d like a brief 55-character headline version, here\u2019s one option:<br \/>\nMAGA vs moderates: Utah senators clash over SAVE Act<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2651,"featured_media":2568810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sen-john-curtismikelee-e1770833435655.jpg?1770815421&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[5118,10130,5894,3740,5764],"class_list":["post-2568809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-bipartisanship","tag-filibuster","tag-politics","tag-senate","tag-utah"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sen-john-curtismikelee-e1770833435655.jpg?1770815421&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2651"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2568809"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568809\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2568813,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2568809\/revisions\/2568813"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568810"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2568809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2568809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2568809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}