Trump vows legislative blockade until SAVE America Act
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable discussion on college sports at the White House in Washington, DC, on March 6, 2026.
Nathan Howard | Reuters
President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold his signature on any bill that reaches his desk until Congress passes a controversial election measure known as the SAVE America Act that would make it much harder for many Americans to vote.
“This must be done immediately. It is above everything else. IT MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE,” Trump said. Real Social post Sunday. “As president, I will not sign any other bills until this becomes law.”
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote. The measure was the subject of an intense pressure campaign from right-wing commentators and congressional Republicans.
The House passed the bill last month, but it fell short of the 60-vote filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Republicans have a 53-47 majority in the upper chamber, while Democrats have vowed to oppose it. That has led some Republicans to call for overturning the filibuster, which Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has so far resisted.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (DY) said the threat of gridlock has not changed Democrats’ position.
“If Trump says he won’t sign any bill until the SAVE Act is passed, so be it: There will be complete gridlock in the Senate,” he said. in x. “Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances.”
Trump also called on Congress to present him with an improved version of the bill, “NOT A DILUTED VERSION.”
“GO FOR THE GOLD: VOTER ID AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP MUST BE PROVIDED: NO MAIL BALLOTS EXCEPT FOR MILITARY DISABILITY, DISABILITY, TRAVEL: NO MALES IN WOMEN’S SPORTS: NO TRANS GENDER RESTRICTIONS FOR CHILDREN! FAIL!!!” Trump added.
Trump’s demands would require the House to reiterate the SAVE America Act; This legislation has already passed two versions of the measure this Congress. That’s no guarantee when Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has only a one-vote majority in the House.
Trump’s signature blockage threat also jeopardizes other legislation that needs to be passed, such as a bill that would fund the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of the fiscal year. The department is currently closed after funding ended last month. Democrats are demanding new restrictions on Trump’s deportation efforts after two American citizens were shot and killed by federal immigration officers.
Signature blocking can have mixed results. Trump can veto any bills sent to him and send them back to Congress; Congress can override his veto with a two-thirds majority in each chamber. If Congress adjourns, the president can also let the bill wait 10 days and it will not become law; this is a procedure known as a “pocket veto”.
However, an unsigned bill that sits for 10 days while Congress is in session automatically becomes law, meaning Congress can remain and bypass the signature blockage. in session.
The clock is also ticking for Republicans, who face a tough midterm election in November; That could lead to Democrats regaining the majority in one or both chambers. The window for passage of the GOP or any of Trump’s legislative wish list is already narrow, and polls show voters are negatively influenced by Trump and his economy ahead of the election.
One NBC News poll The report published on Sunday revealed that 62 percent of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of inflation and the cost of living; these were the most important issues for voters in this poll. The poll showed Democrats ahead by six points in the overall congressional vote.
