Trump Conditions Texas Endorsement on SAVE America Act Ahead of May Runoff
Trump said he wants the SAVE America Act on his desk before endorsing in the May 26 runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton, tying his support to voter ID and filibuster demands.
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Overview
President Donald Trump said he will make an endorsement "fairly shortly" in the May 26 Texas Senate runoff but wants the full SAVE America Act on his desk before deciding, he told CNN's Dana Bash.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and restrict mail-in ballots, and Trump said it must include bans on transgender operations for youth and men in women's sports, he said.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton posted on X that he would consider dropping out only if Senate leadership lifts the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act, and he said in an interview he would stay in the race.
John Cornyn and Ken Paxton advanced to a runoff with 42 percent and 41 percent respectively while Rep. Wesley Hunt earned 14 percent, and campaigns spent more than $50 million on television advertising.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune responded that abolishing the filibuster is "not going to happen," leaving the SAVE Act's path unclear and heightening stakes for Trump's pending endorsement and the May 26 runoff outcome.
Analysis
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FAQ
The SAVE America Act requires proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, for voter registration, photo ID for voting in federal elections, removal of non-citizens from voter rolls, and additional ID for mail-in ballots.
Trump wants the full SAVE America Act, including voter ID, proof of citizenship, bans on transgender operations for youth, and men in women's sports, on his desk before endorsing between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton in the May 26 runoff.
John Cornyn advanced with 42%, Ken Paxton with 41%, and Rep. Wesley Hunt earned 14%; Cornyn and Paxton are in the May 26 runoff.
Paxton said he would consider dropping out only if Senate leadership lifts the filibuster and passes the SAVE America Act, but he plans to stay in the race.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune stated abolishing the filibuster is 'not going to happen,' making the bill's path unclear due to potential Democratic filibuster.
