Republican Senators Support Thune Amid White House Criticism

Republican senators expressed support for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) following comments from White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt regarding President Donald Trump's frustration with the Senate's progress on the SAVE America Act. Thune's colleagues, including Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), defended his leadership, noting that frustrations from the White House are not uncommon. Leavitt stated that Trump desires the Senate to pass the proposal, which includes voter ID requirements, by the August recess, but the Republican-controlled chamber lacks sufficient votes to overcome a filibuster. Thune responded by suggesting that the White House should focus on securing votes rather than blaming Republicans. Other senators, including Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), acknowledged the challenges in passing the legislation, emphasizing the need for 60 votes. Some Republicans are considering alternative strategies to advance parts of the measure through reconciliation.