Trump Calls for Senate Vote on ‘Save America Act’
Fox News’ chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram examines the pressing schedule faced by the Senate before their recess. Among the items is President Donald Trump’s request for a vote on the ‘Save America Act’, despite legislative challenges. The Senate concluded its summer session at 4:57 a.m. ET.
Two significant achievements marked the end of the session. Senators confirmed Todd Blanche as the 88th U.S. Attorney General. Additionally, they passed a bipartisan interim spending bill, which is likely crucial in avoiding a government shutdown in October. However, there are notable tasks they left unfinished.
REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: SUMMER ENDS, BUT THE SENATE’S FALL CRUNCH BEGINS
The U.S. Capitol Building seen at sunset. (Emma Woodhead/Fox News Digital)
The Senate did not attempt to pass the SAVE America Act. Proponents among Republicans did not pursue procedural tactics to extend the session for its passage.
TRUMP SLOWS SENATE BUDGET PLAN, POSTPONES GOP SAVE AMERICA PUSH
A budget framework vote, which could eventually include election integrity measures, was also not conducted. Some conservatives may criticize the Senate for not taking action on this. Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, experienced a setback when the Senate blocked his voter ID proposal.
The SAVE America Act still lacks sufficient support. However, supporters might use the recess as a chance to apply more pressure on opponents. Meanwhile, a test vote on the voter ID bill, while blocked, documented Democrat opposition. Granting Husted a vote also served his electoral strategy against former Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio.
Another bill, the Protect College Sports Act, backed by the Big 10 and SEC, did not receive a test vote despite urgency from President Trump to act. Crafted by Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., the legislation faced internal GOP debates over its implications for gender-specific sports participation.
President Trump issued a strong endorsement of the bill, addressing misconceptions about its scope on Truth Social. Cruz assured that when the Senate reconvenes in September, the act will be a priority, though a vote isn’t yet scheduled.
There was also no test vote on cryptocurrency regulation legislation, anticipated in the final days of the session. The gap in consensus among lawmakers couldn’t be bridged. Nevertheless, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., scheduled a procedural vote on cryptocurrency for September 15.
Chad Pergram currently serves as Chief Congressional Correspondent for FOX News Channel (FNC). He joined the network in September 2007 and is based out of Washington, D.C.