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Senator Cornyn Reverses Course to Support SAVE Act

3/15/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) has reversed his support for the Senate filibuster and now backs changes to pass the SAVE America Act.
The voter ID bill is prioritized by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Cornyn's shift comes as he faces a runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who criticized his stance.
In a New York Post op-ed, Cornyn said he supports necessary changes to Senate rules to advance the legislation.

History

Historical Context

In 2013, Senate Democrats, led by Majority Leader Harry Reid, invoked the "nuclear option," lowering the confirmation threshold for most judicial nominations from 60 votes to a simple majority. This change was a response to Republican filibusters against President Obama's nominees, particularly for the D.C. Circuit. The move intensified partisan divisions, with long-term implications for Senate cooperation and legislative processes.

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Story summary

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) has reversed his support for the Senate filibuster and now backs changes to pass the SAVE America Act.
The voter ID bill is prioritized by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Cornyn's shift comes as he faces a runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who criticized his stance.
In a New York Post op-ed, Cornyn said he supports necessary changes to Senate rules to advance the legislation.

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