President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will not sign any bills until the SAVE America Act is passed. He emphasized that a “watered-down” version of the bill would not be enough.
The legislation, which aims to overhaul voting laws and mandate proof of citizenship nationwide for voter registration, is expected to encounter significant challenges in the Senate. Noncitizen voting is illegal and uncommon.
“It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE. I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed, AND NOT THE WATERED DOWN VERSION — GO FOR THE GOLD: MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. & PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP: NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY — ILLNESS, DISABILITY, TRAVEL: NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS: NO TRANSGENDER MUTILIZATION FOR CHILDREN! DO NOT FAIL!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump commented on the bill in an interview with NBC News last week, saying he is “not happy it’s not moving”.
“I would close government over it,” Trump said. “To me, that’s a core belief.”
In a social media post on Sunday, Trump expressed his desire for provisions regarding men competing in women’s sports and the end of gender reassignment surgery for children, which are not included in the House-approved bill.
The government is facing a partial shutdown due to funding issues for the Department of Homeland Security. Trump’s announcement suggests that even if Congress reaches a deal, he might not sign it.
Bills automatically become law if the president does not sign them within 10 days of their passing.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune faces pressure from the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Mike Lee, and House Republicans to use a “talking filibuster” — an attempt to outlast Democrats and get around the necessary 60 votes to pass the bill.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to Trump’s announcement on Sunday, declining to sign bills, by stating that the SAVE Act would “disenfranchise tens of millions of people.” This response has faced significant pushback from Democrats.
