Full Breakdown
John Fetterman Critiques Trump's SAVE America Act and Mail-In Voting Claims
3/13/2026, 12:19:23 AM
Fetterman's Opposition to the SAVE America Act
Democratic Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has publicly criticized the SAVE America Act, a controversial elections bill promoted by former President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers. In a recent interview with CBS News, Fetterman stated, “I don’t support it…in its current state,” highlighting concerns over the bill's requirements for proof of citizenship and photo identification for federal elections. He described Trump's ongoing criticism of mail-in voting as “ridiculous,” asserting that mail-in voting is safe and reliable, citing successful examples from Republican-led states like Ohio and Florida.
Historical Context of Mail-In Voting in Pennsylvania
Fetterman pointed to Act 77, legislation passed in Pennsylvania in 2019 that legalized mail-in voting with bipartisan support, including from Republican lawmakers. He noted that the same Republicans who initially championed this legislation later attempted to overturn it following Trump's criticisms. This attempt was ultimately unsuccessful, as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court upheld the law in 2022. Fetterman emphasized that the shift in the GOP's stance on mail-in voting contradicts their earlier support.
The Filibuster and Legislative Challenges
Fetterman predicted that the SAVE America Act would “never pass” due to the Senate's filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to end debate on a bill, despite only needing a simple majority of 51 votes for passage. He acknowledged that while campaigning in 2022, he and other Democrats sought to eliminate the filibuster, they now find themselves relying on it to block legislation like the SAVE America Act.
Support for Voter ID Laws
Despite his opposition to the SAVE America Act, Fetterman recognized that a significant portion of the American public supports voter identification laws. A Pew Research Center survey indicated that 83% of Americans favor requiring government-issued photo IDs for voting. He stated, “If the Republicans would ever just make it showing basic state ID to vote, hey, I’m not going to tell 83% of Americans that they’re wrong, or that they are Jim Crow.”
Official Statements and Responses
Senate Majority Leader John Thune indicated that the SAVE America Act lacks sufficient support in the Senate, stating, “There are no easy ways to do this.” This sentiment reflects the challenges the bill faces in a Democratic-controlled Senate, where every Democrat is expected to oppose it.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While Fetterman has walked back his previous support for the SAVE America Act, he was initially perceived as the only Democratic senator to endorse the bill, which has drawn criticism from voting rights advocates as an attempt at voter suppression. The fate of the SAVE America Act remains uncertain as it faces significant opposition and procedural hurdles in Congress.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The president is constantly critical on mail-in voting. And that's ridiculous. It's safe.” — John Fetterman, U.S. Senator
- “I can't ever vote for that, because I could never agree, something that's just not true.” — John Fetterman, U.S. Senator
- “If the Republicans would ever just make it showing basic state ID to vote, hey, I’m not going to tell 83% of Americans that they’re wrong, or that they are Jim Crow.” — John Fetterman, U.S. Senator
