President Trump on Monday urged Senate Republicans to cancel plans for a monthlong August break until they pass the SAVE America Act.
He directed Senate Majority Leader John Thune to keep the Senate open until it finishes the long-stalled voter ID bill.
“John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to ‘leave town’ until it passes The Save America Act,” Mr. Trump wrote on Truth Social. The bill, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a photo ID at the polls, is Mr. Trump’s top legislative priority.
Aug. 7 is the chamber’s last scheduled workday before its summer recess.
The president also wants the bill to include restrictions on mail-in ballots and transgender surgeries for minors.
What’s more, the president urged Mr. Thune, a South Dakota Republican, to terminate the chamber’s 60-vote filibuster threshold so Republicans can “quickly pass everything they ever dreamed of,” including budgetary legislation and raising the nation’s debt ceiling.
He added that Democrats “can’t believe how lucky they got with this Senate leadership.”
Mr. Trump and other Republican proponents of eliminating the filibuster argue that Senate Democrats will do it to ram through their partisan agenda when they get the chance.
Mr. Thune has repeatedly ruled out overriding the filibuster and said the SAVE America Act does not have enough support to pass.
Last week, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr. Trump’s “patience is running out” with Mr. Thune over inaction on the bill.
Mr. Thune has said the president should be blaming Democrats, not Republicans, for blocking the voter ID bill.
On Monday, Mr. Thune was dismissive of keeping senators in Washington through August. He told reporters he still doesn’t believe the SAVE America Act has the votes to pass, but if the president can “start moving some of those senators who are nos into yeses, then we have a different conversation.”
He also rejected changes to the filibuster.
Last year, Mr. Trump also urged Republicans not to recess in August and to focus on confirming his nominees.
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, fired back at Mr. Trump’s post: “The SAVE Act is dead on arrival in the United States Senate. It will not pass — not now, not ever.”
The president’s remarks came after the SAVE America Act’s most staunch advocates had said they would not support an August recess.
Sen. Mike Lee, a Utah Republican who co-authored the bill, said Sunday he will not provide his consent for any agreement to recess.
“Do not assume you have my consent. You do not,” Mr. Lee said to Mr. Thune, demanding a roll-call vote.
“I will vote to stay in session unless we have passed the SAVE America Act. The American people expect us to deliver. They deserve secure elections,” Sen. Rick Scott, a Florida Republican, wrote in agreement on Sunday.
Both applauded Mr. Trump’s post on Monday.
Mr. Scott, “No results, NO RECESS.”
Mr. Lee similarly said, “Trump’s right.”
Republican Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Ashley Moody of Florida and Darline Graham of South Carolina have also expressed their support for skipping recess.
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