By Jim Mishler | Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has denied that pressure from the MAGA movement influenced his decision to support the talking filibuster to secure passage of the SAVE America Act.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Cornyn stated that pressure from runoff opponent Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or a potential endorsement from President Donald Trump did not drive his choice to back the procedure—a move he previously expressed skepticism about.
“I’ve always been open to it,” Cornyn said of using the talking filibuster. “I think, because there were people misrepresenting my position, I felt like it would be good to just be very clear.”
Over the weekend, Cornyn set aside past reservations about the talking filibuster and announced on social media that he would support the procedure to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The legislation requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot.
Cornyn noted he was a supporter of the legislation “from day one.”
Paxton advanced to a runoff election against Cornyn last week after neither secured 50% of the primary vote.
For weeks, Paxton has attempted to make Cornyn’s noncommittal stance on the talking filibuster a political liability.
Both candidates are aggressively courting Trump for an endorsement.
At times, Cornyn has echoed GOP leaders in expressing resistance to the talking filibuster tactic—which would require Democrats to physically hold the floor to block the bill. Critics argue that the talking filibuster could logjam floor proceedings indefinitely and divide Republicans over unlimited simple majority amendments from Democrats.
Meanwhile, Trump has intensified his pressure campaign, vowing not to sign any bills into law until the GOP-controlled Senate passes the measure. He has also urged congressional Republicans to attach other conservative policies to the legislation, including bans on vote by mail, men participating in women’s sports, and gender transition surgery for children.
Cornyn, an institutionalist who has long defended preserving the traditional filibuster—which only requires a senator to express opposition before 60 votes are needed—also has political backing from Senate leadership.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, reiterated Monday that Republicans lack support for the talking filibuster, which many fear would permanently weaken the 60-vote threshold. Thune downplayed the conservative backlash he’s faced over the SAVE America Act, attributing it to a “paid influencer ecosystem” amplifying calls for its passage.
“Having studied it, researched it pretty thoroughly, you have to show me how in the end it prevails and succeeds,” Thune told reporters. “Because I think what has been promised out there is that it would actually, in the end, get an outcome, and I find it very hard to see that based on actual past experience.”
Shortly after, Trump doubled down on his threat not to sign any bill into law until the SAVE America Act passes during a House Republican retreat in South Florida. He told GOP members that the legislation would be pivotal to success in the November midterm elections.
“If it takes you six months, I’m for not approving anything,” Trump said. “I don’t think we should approve anything until this is approved, and they can’t win politically.”
Jim Mishler is a seasoned reporter, anchor, and news director with decades of experience covering crime, politics, and environmental issues.
