The SAVE America Act would go a long way toward shoring up election integrity in these United States. It would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, and a government-issued photo ID to actually vote, among other things. That's why Democrats so vehemently oppose it; it would make cheating oh so much harder.
Democrats or no, one key Senate figure is now a yes on this landmark legislation, that being Susan Collins (R-ME). That puts the "yes" count to 50, meaning that if they can get past the 60-vote requirement for cloture, with a tie-breaker from Vice President Vance, this thing could actually happen.
🚨 BREAKING: SEN. SUSAN COLLINS (R-ME) is a YEA on the SAVE America Act, a HUGE victory!
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) February 13, 2026
We are now at 50 GUARANTEED VOTES — with JD Vance, that's enough to PASS it after a talking filibuster!
Collins was previously unsure.
THIS IS MASSIVE! Get it done, save the republic! pic.twitter.com/At96Ieqk9i
While Senator Collins demurs so far as to note that "...this is a work in progress," her overall tone is positive; she claims she has always been in favor of a requirement for showing ID to vote. That's good.
But first, the bill has to get past cloture.
There will be a lot of pressure on Senate Republican leadership to do something about the filibuster. There may be enough votes to abolish it, but that would turn around and bite the GOP sooner or later. There are almost certainly not enough votes to reinstate the talking filibuster, which would require the aging and decrepit Chuck Schumer (D-NY) or one of his minions to actually stand up and pour out the usual Democratic gaseous emissions until either 1) they got too tired to go on, or 2) the Senate chamber collapses under the cloying influence of all the hot air. They will claim that this act will disenfranchise women and minority voters, which accusation carries the clear implication that Democrats think women and minorities are too stupid to find a birth certificate or to present a photo ID when voting. That's sure to be a winning message for the midterms.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) isn't sanguine about the prospect of this rule change.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said “there aren’t anywhere close to the votes” needed to change the Senate’s filibuster rule to allow Republican-sponsored legislation to reform voter registration requirements to pass the upper chamber with fewer than 60 votes.
Thune on Tuesday dismissed the idea that Republicans might lower the procedural threshold for advancing the House-passed SAVE Act, which would require people to show passports or birth certificates as proof of citizenship when registering to vote.
So, yes, getting past cloture. Ay, that's the rub. It sure is looking like a lot is riding on what the Senate Majority Leader is willing to do.
Read More: SAVE Act Clears Last Procedural Hurdle, Heads to the House Floor for Vote
The SAVE America Act Clears the House of Representatives; Which Way, Republican Senate?
It ain't over, as the saying goes, until the differently-girthed egg-producing person sings, but she's warming up in the wings. To Senator Thune, I can only say this: Let's get this done, Senator. The future of the Republic depends on this.
In closing, on behalf of all of Alaska, I would like to apologize to the United States for Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
Help RedState continue to report on the Democrats’ radicalism and inform voters as our nation faces a crossroads. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member