{"id":2613581,"date":"2026-06-12T12:07:59","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T16:07:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-cornyn-spars-with-mike-lee-over-save-act\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T12:07:59","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T16:07:59","slug":"john-cornyn-spars-with-mike-lee-over-save-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-cornyn-spars-with-mike-lee-over-save-act\/","title":{"rendered":"John Cornyn spars with Mike Lee over SAVE Act"},"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%2Fjohn-cornyn-spars-with-mike-lee-over-save-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=2613581&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 class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"926\">Republican<\/a> intraparty clash broke out on social media between Sens. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/john-cornyn\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"965\">John Cornyn <\/a>(R-TX) and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mike-lee\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"684\">Mike Lee<\/a> (R-UT) over the SAVE Act, with Cornyn arguing the bill lacks the votes to advance and warning that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gop\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1577\">GOP<\/a> infighting is damaging the party\u2019s political prospects.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cornyn, who is serving his final months in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/senate\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8765\">Senate<\/a> after losing his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"253\">Texas<\/a> primary to Trump-backed Texas Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4370\">Ken Paxton<\/a>, has increasingly used his platform to criticize party strategy and leadership.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4605862\/republicans-race-confirm-trump-dni-pick\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Republicans race to confirm Trump DNI pick Jay Clayton to break spy program gridlock<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4605549\/bill-cassidy-final-seersucker-day-bipartisan-tradition\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bill Cassidy goes out in style<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4605451\/bill-cassidy-trump-dni-pick-jay-clayton\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Bill Cassidy clarifies stance on Trump DNI pick Jay Clayton<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exchange began with Lee pressing colleagues to stay focused on passing the legislation through sustained effort, even if it required time-consuming procedural work and internal discipline.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The SAVE Act, which would require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, passed in the House earlier this year, but remains stalled in the Senate. Cornyn rejected the idea that more effort alone could move the legislation forward, framing the fight as a matter of math.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMike, I am a co-sponsor and have repeatedly voted for this but you don\u2019t have the votes,\u201d Cornyn <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnCornyn\/status\/2065313050970771604\">wrote<\/a>. \u201c[Senate Majority] @LeaderJohnThune can\u2019t change that. It is math.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He added that Republicans should focus their fire on Democrats rather than internal disputes. \u201cRepublican on Republican attacks are hurting our chances to win the majority in November,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In his earlier post, Lee had urged Republicans to stay unified behind leadership and continue pushing the bill through sustained effort.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe will <em>not<\/em> regret putting in the hard work to pass the SAVE America Act\u2014even though it will take weeks, requiring hard work,\u201d Lee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BasedMikeLee\/status\/2065293607259746565\">wrote<\/a>. \u201cWe will regret <em>not<\/em> passing it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cornyn then doubled down, rejecting the premise that procedural effort can substitute for votes and escalating his criticism of Republican messaging.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap\" style=\"min-height:5px;\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" style=\"display:none;\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat is how you pass legislation; not by creating unrealistic expectations; not by criticizing your own party leaders; not by creating a circular firing squad,\u201d Cornyn added. \u201cThat helps Democrats.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">No, you are correct.  But he wouldn&#8217;t just hand a cudgel to his political opponents.  He would do the &#8220;hard work&#8221; and get the votes!  That is how you pass legislation; not by creating unrealistic expectations; not by criticizing your own party leaders; not by creating a circular\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vBJlhIDcjO\">https:\/\/t.co\/vBJlhIDcjO<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnCornyn\/status\/2065413380173619383?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In remarks extending beyond the Senate floor and into recent interviews, Cornyn also took aim at GOP influencer Scott Presler, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/JohnCornyn\/status\/2065209313434460300\">calling<\/a> him a \u201cgrifter.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"text-transform:uppercase\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4601401\/cornyn-paxton-texas-senate-campaign-talarico\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4601401\/cornyn-paxton-texas-senate-campaign-talarico\/\">Cornyn won\u2019t campaign for Paxton in Texas Senate race against Talarico<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a recent interview with the <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2026\/06\/11\/us\/john-cornyn-interview-trump.html\">New York Times<\/a><\/em>, Cornyn warned that Republicans and President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"4\">Donald Trump<\/a> are headed for a turbulent stretch and described the remainder of the term as a \u201cbumpy ride,\u201d while also accusing outside activists of pushing counterproductive messaging.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s going to make things harder, certainly more expensive in Texas, and make it harder around the country,\u201d Cornyn said. \u201cI don\u2019t say that with any sort of desire for vengeance; I just think that\u2019s the way it\u2019s going to be. He\u2019s going to have the most miserable two years of his life in the last two years of his term, I think, because I think November is going to be a disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A Republican intraparty clash broke out on social media between Sens. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mike Lee (R-UT) over the SAVE Act, with Cornyn arguing the bill lacks the votes to advance and warning that GOP infighting is damaging the party\u2019s political prospects. Cornyn, who is serving his final months in the Senate after losing<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4195,"featured_media":2613582,"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\/06\/image-collage-lijqenih0-1781274278806.jpg?1781262028&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2613581","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-collage-lijqenih0-1781274278806.jpg?1781262028&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613581","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\/4195"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2613581"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2613581\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2613582"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2613581"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2613581"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2613581"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}