Trump’s Demands Disrupt Congressional Agenda
President Donald Trump’s insistence that Congress prioritize an expanded version of the SAVE America Act is proving to be a source of significant tension in both chambers of Congress.
On Monday, Trump urged House Republicans to make the extensive GOP elections overhaul bill, which now includes several contentious add-ons, their “No. 1 priority.” This directive is disrupting their plans to address other critical pre-midterm issues during their retreat scheduled for Tuesday, and it’s raising eyebrows among wary senators back in Washington.
— Doral’s Perspective: A Shift in Focus
The House has already passed two iterations of the GOP elections bill, but now the president is pushing for the inclusion of restrictions on mail voting, a ban on transgender surgeries for minors, and a prohibition on transgender women participating in women’s sports.
GOP leaders are now tasked with rallying support from members who are hesitant to engage in the culture wars surrounding transgender issues, especially when many would rather concentrate on economic concerns like affordability. Notably, the mail voting provision was deliberately omitted from the last package for very good reasons.
On Tuesday, committee chairs will update members on their legislative priorities, which may include a potential new reconciliation bill this year. However, Trump’s lack of mention regarding this possibility during his remarks on Monday casts a shadow over those hoping for a second major bill.
Elected Republican leaders will convene privately at 4 p.m. to discuss potential paths forward. It’s safe to say that Trump’s SAVE America demands will dominate the conversation.
Additionally, the GOP leaders will deliberate on how to advance a housing affordability package. Yet, this too seems low on Trump’s priority list, as he indicated on Monday that Americans are clamoring for the election bill and advised against discussing housing issues.
— Thune Faces Increased Challenges
Trump’s ultimatum adds further complexity to the Senate dynamics, where the legislation was already struggling, even before the president’s latest demands.
Several Republican senators expressed their opposition to Trump’s push to heavily restrict mail-in voting, highlighting the successful implementation of such practices in their own states. “I don’t want the federal government telling me that I can’t have mail-in voting or absentee ballot voting,” remarked Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) to reporters. “Mail-in voting is perfectly fine if proper standards are maintained.”
Moreover, Trump continued to advocate for the controversial “talking filibuster,” keeping that internal conflict at the forefront for Majority Leader John Thune, who provided a sobering assessment of the “complicated and risky” concept on Monday.
In a glimmer of desperation, Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) suggested that some Republicans might consider pushing the SAVE America Act through reconciliation, despite the absence of a clear budgetary connection. “We have some clever wordsmiths,” Kennedy stated.
Other Key Developments to Watch:
— Immigration Policy Hearings
Two Senate hearings on Tuesday will shine a light on pivotal immigration policy discussions—birthright citizenship and the issue of “sanctuary cities.”
Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will conduct a 10:30 a.m. hearing focused on jurisdictions that do not collaborate with federal immigration enforcement; among the witnesses will be Chad Wolf, Trump’s former acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
Following that, a Senate Judiciary panel will hold a 2:30 p.m. hearing titled “Protecting American Citizenship” as the Supreme Court deliberates on whether to nullify Trump’s initiative to end automatic birthright citizenship for individuals born in the U.S.
— The Race to Replace MTG
Today marks Election Day to fill the seat vacated by Marjorie Taylor Greene, whose departure from Congress in January has further narrowed the already slim Republican majority in the House. Unfortunately for the GOP, this race might drag on for an additional month.
Seventeen candidates are vying for the position, including 12 Republicans. Due to the high number of candidates, it is plausible that no single candidate will achieve the required 50 percent to win, potentially leaving the seat vacant until a runoff on April 7.
Hailey Fuchs and Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
