By Sam Barron | Thursday, 25 June 2026 09:34 PM EDT
Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, stated on Thursday that the Senate has procedural options to bypass the filibuster and pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act.
The legislation, which Roy introduced in the House, would require proof of U.S. citizenship for individuals to register to vote in federal elections.
“The Senate is hiding behind its 60-vote threshold,” Roy said. “They have enough votes with [Vice President] JD Vance to pass that bill.”
Roy, who previously served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, added that the upper chamber could force a talking filibuster.
“They left last night for two and a half weeks,” Roy said. “The Senate doesn’t want to have to do the hard work it takes, because what it would require is being on the floor, having a quorum, demanding that they call up the vote of 51.”
Roy noted that when Democrats took the floor and talked and filibustered, they could be allowed to take a meeting and return when they did not have some Democrats speaking.
“You have to do that for like two months,” he said. “And then when they are not on the floor, you call the question.”
Roy referenced the passage of the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s: “They forced the issue, and now half the Senate buildings are named after these guys.”
He criticized the current Senate for prioritizing itself over America: “Today’s Senate is putting the Senate first rather than America first.”
Roy warned that if Democrats regain control of the White House, House, and Senate in the future, they would likely eliminate the filibuster and pack the courts.
“We can preserve the filibuster and deliver the SAVE America Act if John Thune will just put it on the floor,” Roy said. “Don’t leave for July Fourth.”
Roy added: “You have 50 votes. Put that on the floor. There’s no excuse for it. Force it through the Senate.”
