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Senate Majority Leader John Thune Grapples With GOP Pressure Over the SAVE America Act
By Drooid · · How we work
Senate Leader John Thune Faces GOP Pressure Over Voting Bill
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has been under intense pressure from President Donald Trump to advance the SAVE America Act, a sweeping voting-eligibility measure. South Dakota GOP chairman Jim Eschenbaum told Thune that he must “advocate harder” to win support among Republican senators. Thune replied that he cannot compel colleagues, emphasizing his limited leverage within the Senate.
Background: SAVE America Act and Trump’s Push
The SAVE America Act seeks stricter checks on voting eligibility and has become a focal point of the former president’s agenda. Trump has repeatedly criticized Thune for not moving the bill forward, creating friction between the Senate leader and the GOP base. Within the Republican conference, some senators have expressed frustration that Thune has prioritized other legislation, such as affordability measures, over the voting bill.
Official Statements & Responses
- President Trump has publicly urged Thune to “force” the passage of the SAVE America Act, framing the issue as a test of party loyalty.
- John Thune acknowledged the criticism but stressed that “I’m only one vote—I can’t force them to vote for it,” underscoring the procedural limits of a single Senate leader.
- Jim Eschenbaum reiterated his call for stronger advocacy, noting that Thune’s stance has sparked talk of a primary challenge in South Dakota.
- Party insiders suggest that Thune could become a scapegoat if Republicans lose Senate control, though no formal challenger has emerged.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m only one vote—I can’t force them to vote for it,” — Eschenbach
Outlook and Potential Challenges
Thune’s position remains precarious less than two years after he succeeded Mitch McConnell as the Senate Republican leader. While he is expected to retain broad support among GOP colleagues after the upcoming midterms, the combination of presidential pressure, internal dissent, and speculation about a primary challenge could make his tenure “hard—or unappealing—to hold on to,” according to unnamed allies in Washington. The future of the SAVE America Act and Thune’s leadership will likely hinge on how the party navigates these intra-party tensions in the months ahead.