Story perspectives

Senator Cornyn Backs Filibuster Change for SAVE Act

3/13/2026

Summary

Story summary

Senator John Cornyn of Texas now supports changes to the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, urged by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The shift follows a GOP runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton, who seeks filibuster elimination to advance the legislation.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID for voting, according to the proposal.

History

Historical Context

In 2013, Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, invoked the "nuclear option," reducing the cloture threshold for most judicial nominations to a simple majority. This change, prompted by Republican obstructionism, followed a significant rise in filibusters during President Obama's tenure, with 68% of Americans favoring streamlined judicial appointments. The ongoing partisan tensions reflect a broader erosion of bipartisan cooperation in the Senate.

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Story summary

Senator John Cornyn of Texas now supports changes to the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, urged by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The shift follows a GOP runoff against Attorney General Ken Paxton, who seeks filibuster elimination to advance the legislation.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID for voting, according to the proposal.

1 / 2