{"id":2577941,"date":"2026-03-09T20:20:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-shrugs-off-maga-pressure-to-pass-the-save-america-act\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:22:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T00:22:53","slug":"thune-shrugs-off-maga-pressure-to-pass-the-save-america-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-shrugs-off-maga-pressure-to-pass-the-save-america-act\/","title":{"rendered":"Thune shrugs off MAGA pressure to pass the SAVE America Act"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/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%2Fthune-shrugs-off-maga-pressure-to-pass-the-save-america-act%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=2577941&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>Senate Majority Leader John Thune is downplaying the conservative backlash to the SAVE America act, saying it\u2019s being amplified by a \u201cpaid influencer ecosystem.\u201d he doubts the Senate has the votes to pass the GOP voting bill and cautions against relying on a prolonged talking filibuster that could waste floor time. Outside pressure from social-media activists has convinced some Republicans, like John Cornyn, to back skirting the 60-vote threshold, even as others push back. president Trump has signaled support for the effort and said he won\u2019t sign any bill until it reaches his desk, though the White House clarified there might potentially be one exception for DHS funding. The piece portrays a contest between a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >coordinated online advocacy campaign<\/a> and traditional Senate procedures, noting the 53-47 Republican-Democrat split and Thune\u2019s push for unified support, while acknowledging house considerations and potential amendments that could affect the bill\u2019s trajectory.  <\/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\">Thune chalks up MAGA pressure on SAVE America Act to &lsquo;paid influencer ecosystem&rsquo;<\/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_2527486\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Senate Majority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\">John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) downplayed the conservative backlash he is facing over the SAVE America Act, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/brennanleach\/status\/2031083867503743376?s=20\">chalking it up<\/a> to a &ldquo;paid influencer ecosystem&rdquo; that is amplifying calls for its passage.<\/p>\n<p>Thune cast fresh doubt Monday that the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\">Senate<\/a> had the votes to pass the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4473765\/senate-gop-warns-house-save-act-agitators-do-not-tell-us-what-to-do\/\">GOP voting bill<\/a>, as conservative pundits and a chorus of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-does-this-image-show-donald-trumps-aug-21-rally-in-alabama\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Does This Image Show Donald ......s Aug. 21 Rally In Alabama?\">social media personalities<\/a> have been demanding for more than a month.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4485240\/watch-live-joshua-rudd-senate-confirmation-hearing-nsa-head\/\">WATCH LIVE: Joshua Rudd faces Senate in confirmation hearing to be NSA head<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4485502\/trump-would-sign-legislation-reopen-dhs-despite-save-act-threat\/\">Trump would sign legislation to reopen DHS despite SAVE America Act threat<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/travel\/4484944\/airport-chaos-escalates-pressure-resolve-dhs-government-shutdown\/\">Airport chaos escalates pressure to resolve DHS government shutdown<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>That pressure campaign has moved several Senate Republicans to support the bill, even if it means burning weeks of floor time under a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/filibuster\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1708\">talking filibuster<\/a>. Yet, Thune told reporters there was enough resistance to that approach that he cannot &ldquo;guarantee&rdquo; an outcome even as he promises to hold a Senate vote.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Having studied it, researched it pretty thoroughly, you have to show me how, in the end, it prevails and succeeds,&rdquo; Thune said. &ldquo;Because I think what has been promised out there is that it would actually, in the end, get an outcome, and I find it very hard to see that based on actual past experience.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4465730\/maga-backlash-thune-save-act-filibuster\/\"><strong>MAGA RIGHT SOURS ON THUNE OVER SAVE ACT FIGHT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Thune has previously called the outside push to pass the SAVE America Act, which requires voter ID and proof of citizenship to register to vote, part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/olympic-organizers-attempt-to-backpedal-on-opening-ceremony-gets-undermined-by-their-own-performers\/\" title=\"Olympic Organizers&#039; Attempt to Backpedal on Opening Ceremony Gets Undermined by Their Own Performers\">social media &#038;ldquo<\/a>;echo chamber&rdquo; and suggested that getting the legislation through the Senate is harder than activists claim.<\/p>\n<p>Nearly all Senate Republicans have co-sponsored the bill, including Thune, but several have publicly announced opposition to a so-called talking filibuster, which sidesteps the 60-vote threshold on most legislation. As of now, Republicans control 53 votes in the Senate, and Democrats control 47.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What I&rsquo;ve said before is, you have to have unified support, not only in support of the ultimate goal, which is the SAVE America Act, but on the process to be able to defeat amendments that would undo the legislation in the first place,&rdquo; Thune said on Monday. &ldquo;And it is a &ndash; we can&rsquo;t find a piece of legislation in history that&rsquo;s been passed that way.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Activists with large social media followings, most prominently Scott Presler, have been attempting to eat away at that resistance and have had some success. Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"965\">John Cornyn<\/a> (R-TX), running in the toughest primary of his political career, became the latest Senate Republican to back skirting the 60-vote filibuster over the weekend.<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a>, meanwhile, is lending political weight to that campaign and on Sunday praised Presler as he vowed not to sign any bill into law until the SAVE America Act reaches his desk. The White House later clarified that he will make <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4485236\/trumps-save-act-threat-might-have-some-wiggle-room\/\">one exception<\/a> &ndash; funding for the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n<p>Thune addressed that announcement on Monday, expressing optimism that Trump would make further exceptions if the bills were important enough. He is most focused on getting a housing bill through Congress and noted that Senate Republicans worked &ldquo;closely&rdquo; with the White House on it.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I know he&rsquo;s passionate about the SAVE America Act, and I think that his statement was an expression of that,&rdquo; Thune said. &ldquo;But I hope, at the end of the day, that if we can move things across the floor here and actually put legislation on his desk, that he&rsquo;ll find his way to sign it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4485502\/trump-would-sign-legislation-reopen-dhs-despite-save-act-threat\/\"><strong>TRUMP WOULD SIGN LEGISLATION TO REOPEN DHS DESPITE SAVE ACT THREAT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Trump has also in recent days asked the House, which <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4455007\/house-passes-voter-id-bill-one-democrat-supporting\/\">passed the SAVE America Act<\/a> in February, to add provisions on mail ballots and transgender rights.<\/p>\n<p>Asked about the add-ons, Thune said it &ldquo;would probably make sense&rdquo; for the House to send another version of the bill to the Senate.<\/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>Thune cites paid influencer push behind MAGA pressure<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3204,"featured_media":2577942,"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\/03\/AP26056768621539.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[5656,75195,23610,44832],"class_list":["post-2577941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-maga","tag-save-america-act-2","tag-thune","tag-us-senate"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26056768621539.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577941","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\/3204"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577941"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2577945,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577941\/revisions\/2577945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2577942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2577941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2577941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}