{"id":2579189,"date":"2026-03-12T16:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-rebels-accuse-thune-of-gaslighting-conservatives\/"},"modified":"2026-03-12T16:42:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T20:42:12","slug":"gop-rebels-accuse-thune-of-gaslighting-conservatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gop-rebels-accuse-thune-of-gaslighting-conservatives\/","title":{"rendered":"GOP rebels accuse Thune of &#8216;gaslighting&#8217; conservatives"},"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\">14<\/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%2Fgop-rebels-accuse-thune-of-gaslighting-conservatives%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=2579189&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>The Washington Examiner reports that GOP rebels are accusing Senate Majority Leader John Thune of gaslighting conservatives with his plan to bring the SAVE America act to the Senate floor.The plan woudl keep the Senate\u2019s 60-vote filibuster threshold, while House conservatives push for a simple-majority path via a mock \u201ctalking filibuster\u201d to apply pressure and force a vote.Critics, including Rep. Keith Self and Rep. Greg steube, say the move is performative and unlikely to succeed without 60 votes. The strategy involves a marathon Senate debate aimed at pressuring Democrats on issues from voter ID to transgender politics,with some House Republicans pledging to block legislation until the act reaches Trump\u2019s desk. thune has insisted there\u2019s no easier route due to math, acknowledging the proposed tactic may be more show then substance.  <\/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\">GOP rebels accuse Thune of &lsquo;gaslighting&rsquo; conservatives with new SAVE America vote<\/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_2530496\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-thune\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"178\">Senate Majority Leader John Thune<\/a> (R-SD) is facing backlash for his most recent plan for bringing the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/save-america\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7711\">SAVE America<\/a> Act to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> floor in an effort to ease tension with <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maga\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"7710\">MAGA<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A handful of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11272\">House<\/a> Republicans, who have been leading the fight to pass the voter identification bill, are upset with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/donald-trump-ends-negotiations-with-nancy-pelosi-on-coronavirus-relief\/\" title=\"Donald ... Ends Negotiations with Nancy Pelosi on Coronavirus Relief\">majority leader<\/a> for scheduling a doomed vote on the measure next week. Hardliners in the House want Thune to skirt the Senate&rsquo;s 60-vote filibuster threshold to pass the bill in favor of a talking filibuster, which would require 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>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4489775\/thune-plans-mock-talking-filibuster-save-america-act\/\">Thune plans mock &lsquo;talking filibuster&rsquo; to calm SAVE America Act uproar<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4488966\/fetterman-senate-democrats-letter-iran-school-strike\/\">Fetterman lone Senate Democrat not <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >signing letter seeking answers<\/a> on Iran school strike<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/healthcare\/4488708\/josh-hawley-bill-revoke-fda-approval-mifepristone\/\">Josh Hawley introduces bill to revoke FDA approval of mifepristone for abortions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;With all due respect, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/LeaderJohnThune\">@LeaderJohnThune<\/a> is gaslighting the American people,&rdquo; Rep. Keith Self <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepKeithSelf\/status\/2032141162715222198?s=20\">wrote on X<\/a>. &ldquo;He does not plan to force a talking filibuster, which means the SAVE America Act is dead on arrival in the Senate&mdash;no path to 60 votes, no real pressure on Democrats. &lsquo;Full, robust debate&rsquo;? Laughable! This is nothing but a show vote.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But the criticism did not stop there. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But Leader Thune will not move to break the filibuster to show what senate republicans support senate rules over saving America!,&rdquo; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepGregSteube\/status\/2032128842060440072?s=20\">wrote Rep. Greg Steube<\/a> (R-FL). &ldquo;This is completely performative and everyone knows it will fail under a 60 vote threshold.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>This comes as Senate Republicans are planning a marathon debate likely to begin next Monday or Tuesday. Under Thune&rsquo;s plan, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thune-plans-mock-talking-filibuster-to-calm-save-america-act-uproar\/\" title=\"... ...s mock \u2018...... to calm ... uproar\">60-vote marker remains intact<\/a>. Republicans will try to put public pressure on Democrats on everything from voter ID to unrelated topics such as transgender politics, issues that Trump wants to make a litmus test for the midterm elections.<\/p>\n<p>Both sides would get time to speak in support or opposition to the bill, though Republicans control what gets brought up for a vote, and much of the strategy involves keeping Democrats on the defensive.<\/p>\n<p>Some House Republicans have gone as far as to vow they would hold up legislation from passing in the lower chamber until the SAVE America Act hits Trump&rsquo;s desk.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4489775\/thune-plans-mock-talking-filibuster-save-america-act\/\">THUNE PLANS MOCK &lsquo;TALKING FILIBUSTER&rsquo; TO CALM SAVE AMERICA ACT UPROAR<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) even called on President Donald Trump <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4487989\/anna-paulina-luna-donald-trump-senate-endorsements-save-act-john-thune\/\">to hold off on issuing<\/a> any new Senate endorsements until the chamber passes the legislation.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t have the votes either to proceed &mdash; get on &mdash; a talking filibuster nor to sustain one,&rdquo; Thune said before his new plan was unveiled. &ldquo;That is just a function of math. There isn&rsquo;t anything I can do. I&rsquo;m the one that has to be a clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><em>David Sivak contributed to this article. <\/em><\/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>GOP rebels accuse Thune of gaslighting over SAVE vote<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3691,"featured_media":2579190,"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\/AP26069693960051-e1773345763766.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[4539,14806,6203,23610],"class_list":["post-2579189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-conservatives","tag-gaslighting","tag-gop","tag-thune"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26069693960051-e1773345763766.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579189","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\/3691"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2579189"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579189\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2579193,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2579189\/revisions\/2579193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2579190"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2579189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2579189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2579189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}