Trump-Senate Rift Over SAVE America Act and FISA Extension

President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded that SAVE America Act—a voting-restriction bill that has failed five times—be attached to the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the polls. FISA extension, needed to keep surveillance authority, is pending. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) and other GOP leaders call the demand a “non-starter” that threatens their ability to pass legislation. Trump also blocked confirmation of his DNI nominee, Jay Clayton, and released an Iran memorandum of understanding without briefing Senate Republicans, leaving them “scrambling to interpret” the deal.

The Hill‘It’s awkward for everybody’: Inside the Trump-Thune relationship

Trump posted on social media that he would not sign a FISA extension unless the SAVE America Act was attached, calling the demand a “non-starter.” Thune answered reporters about stalled DNI hearing with a brief comment. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton called interference “regrettable” and warned that releasing Iranian assets could fund hostile groups. Senator Thom Tillis said surprise moves “diminish our chances of holding our majorities” before midterms. Senator John Cornyn warned the standoff could accelerate president’s “lame-duck status.”

The Hill

Cornyn said Trump’s actions “destroyed what remained of any kind of trust” and turned relationships transactional. Tillis warned that surprise announcements erode Republican electoral prospects. Cotton cautioned that Iran’s frozen assets would likely fund drones, missiles, Hamas and Hezbollah. Senator John Kennedy rebuked Trump as “taking this out on Thune.” An unnamed GOP lawmaker called dynamic “awkward for everybody,” noting growing frustration among Trump allies.

The Hill

• “In my case, there was no real reason given my support for the president’s agenda,” — John Cornyn, U.S. Senator (R-Texas)

The Hill

• “Good question.” — John Thune, Senate Majority Leader (R-South Dakota)

The Hill

• “We can’t surprise the president and the administration cannot surprise us.” — Thom Tillis, U.S. Senator (R-North Carolina)

The Hill

• “Apparently no one informed Hezbollah of the ‘ceasefire.’” — Tom Cotton, Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman (R-Arkansas)

The Hill

The White House asserts that the SAVE America Act must be tied to the FISA extension, yet Senate leaders say no procedural mechanism exists to combine the measures. Details of the Iran memorandum were released publicly without prior briefing to Republican leaders, creating uncertainty about its contents.

The Hill

Senate Republicans will debate the immigration enforcement bill and a SAVE America Act amendment, which recently failed a floor vote 48-50. The fate of the FISA extension and confirmation hearings for Jay Clayton and Attorney General Todd Blanche remain unresolved. Midterm elections in November will test whether the intra-party rift alters Republican control of the Senate.

The Hill