A Republican lawmaker is openly rebuking Senate Majority Leader John Thune, accusing the South Dakota senator of blocking a key election-integrity bill and urging him to either advance the measure or relinquish his leadership post.
According to WND, U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., is pressing Thune to move the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor, arguing that robust debate and recorded votes are essential to restoring public trust in elections. The legislation, strongly backed by President Donald Trump, is being framed by conservatives as a necessary safeguard against the kind of chaos and irregularities that have plagued recent election cycles.
There are ZERO good reasons for Thunes failure to put the SAVE America Act on the floor. This is how we get the votes: by debating it! Ogles declared on X, before adding bluntly, Thune can either do the right thing or resign. His comments reflect a growing impatience among House conservatives who believe Senate leadership is dragging its feet on one of the core promises of the Republican platform: securing the ballot box.
Appearing on the Daily Wires Morning Wire, Ogles told host John Bickley that tensions between the House and Senate are rising over the stalled bill. Well, you know, I would say were a lot frustrated, quite frankly, he said, stressing that Sen. Thune has the opportunity to put this on the [Senate] floor. They can do the talking filibuster.
Ogles pointed to historic Senate battles to argue that Republicans have both the tools and the precedent to fight for the measure if they choose to use them. Look, in 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed because of the talking filibuster. 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed because of the talking filibuster. The Dodd-Frank bill was passed because of the talking filibuster.
So theres a precedent here when you have monumental, transformative pieces of legislation for the Senate to use this procedural maneuver to get it done. So, John Thune, do your job, get it done, or get out of the way. For Ogles and many grassroots conservatives, the refusal to deploy such tactics on behalf of election integrity raises questions about whether GOP leaders are truly committed to reform.
Ogles said President Donald Trump, a vocal champion of the SAVE America Act, shares the publics anger over the Senates inaction. He noted that Trump is frustrated just like I am, just like the American people are, that they see the Senate not doing their job. And look, this isnt a controversial issue when it comes to Save America. Again, over 80% of Americans say lets get it done. So theres really no excuse for John Thune at all.
Pressed on what rationale Senate Republicans have offered for stalling the bill, Ogles said he has heard nothing persuasive. To be honest with you, I have not heard a good answer from the Senate as to why theyre not moving it, aside from the fact that John Thune has said he doesnt have the votes. Well, guess what. Youre the leader.
Bring it up, put it on the Senate floor, call a vote, and let everybody go on record. And once thats been done, do the talking filibuster. Like I said, you have historical precedent. To get it done. He has a path forward. Hes simply choosing not to do it. And again, the American people rightfully should be frustrated by that.
Jim Hoft of the Gateway Pundit captured the mood of many on the right, writing: The American people are done with the games. Thune has the tools. He has the historical precedent. He has the Presidents clear demand. He simply refuses to use them. With President Trump pressing for action and conservatives insisting that election integrity is non-negotiable, the pressure on Thune and Senate Republicans is likely to intensify until the SAVE America Act receives the floor fight its supporters say it deserves.
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