Hawley Blasts 4 Republicans Who Voted To Reject Adding Voter ID Bill To Reconciliation

Their opposition kept the amendment from reaching the 50-vote threshold Republicans would have needed to pursue a talking filibuster strategy.

Lee’s separate amendment, however, did secure 50 votes after Collins switched her position and backed the original version of the SAVE America Act.

As the vote-a-rama continued, Lee celebrated the result on X, noting that with Vice President JD Vance available to cast a tie-breaking vote, the SAVE America Act would have enough support to pass the Senate, Fox News reported.

“That means that but for the Zombie Filibuster, the House-passed SAVE America Act would now be on its way to the White House for President Trump’s signature,” Lee said.

Lee and some other Republicans have been leaning on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to launch a talking filibuster to grind down Democrats and advance the measure by a simple majority vote.

Senate Republicans previously mounted a lengthy floor effort in March to force debate on the SAVE America Act, but momentum behind the legislation has waned considerably in the months since.