Senate Republican Leader John Thune said he plans to bring the SAVE Act to the Senate floor even if it does not have enough votes to pass, arguing the move would force Democrats to publicly defend their position on voter eligibility.

Thune made the remarks during an appearance on America’s Newsroom after President Donald Trump urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act during his State of the Union address.

During the address, Trump called on lawmakers to approve the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, saying it would require voter ID and proof of citizenship in federal elections.

“All voters must show voter ID,” Trump said. “Both Republicans and Democrats overwhelmingly agree on the policy that we just enunciated, and Congress should unite and enact this common sense, country-saving legislation right now.”

President Trump: "It's very simple. ALL voters must show voter ID. ALL voters must show proof of citizenship." pic.twitter.com/24RQ6NIwiM

— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) February 25, 2026

Host Ayesha Hasnie asked Thune whether he would still put the SAVE Act on the Senate floor even though it did not have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster, specifically to put Democrats on the record ahead of the midterm elections.

Hasnie cited polling showing strong support for voter ID across party lines and asked whether forcing a vote was intended to expose Democratic opposition.

Thune said he would move forward with a floor vote after Congress resolves the ongoing government shutdown.

“We will put the Democrats on the record,” Thune said. “The Democrats, even in the chamber last night, having to sit there and try and defend allowing non-citizens to vote in American elections, that is a losing proposition for them.”

He added, “We will make sure that the Democrats are on the record. It is a stark contrast between Republicans and Democrats about how they want to handle elections in this country.”

Thune argued the issue could politically damage Democrats in upcoming elections.

“This is gonna put them, I think, in a very difficult position,” Thune said. “It’s an issue if I were running as a Democrat in the midterm elections in November, I wouldn’t wanna have to defend.”

Democrats have criticized the SAVE Act as voter suppression. Rep. Emilia Sykes previously said the legislation is “designed to repress the votes of women, people of color, young folks, and the disabled.”

Speaking on the House floor, Sykes said Ohio’s strict voter ID laws did not reduce fraud but did reduce participation.

“The level of voter fraud is the same, but the amount of people who are not registered to vote increases substantially,” she said. “The amount of voter fraud is sustained, but the amount of voter engagement decreases, and particularly amongst people of color, young folks, the disabled, and guess what? Women.”

The SAVE Act is designed to repress the votes of women, people of color, young folks, and the disabled. It's voter suppression poorly dressed up as election integrity. pic.twitter.com/X50hhz72Ms

— Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes (@RepEmiliaSykes) February 11, 2026

Sykes also said that the bill’s documentation requirements could prevent eligible voters from registering if their current legal name does not exactly match their birth or citizenship records.

“If your current name does not exactly fit and match the name on your birth certificate or citizenship papers, you could be blocked from registering to vote, even if you are a lifelong, naturalized, or American-born citizen,” she said.

The SAVE Act has already passed the House and is now pending in the Senate. The bill would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

It would direct states to verify voter rolls on an ongoing basis, remove noncitizens from voter lists, and establish alternative processes for applicants to demonstrate citizenship. The bill also creates penalties for election officials who register voters without proper proof and allows private legal action against officials who violate the law.

Republicans argue the bill would secure elections and ensure only citizens vote, while Democrats say it would suppress turnout among lawful voters and create bureaucratic obstacles.

With Thune signaling he will force a floor vote, the SAVE Act is shaping up as a central issue in the midterm election debate.