GOP Senator: Vance May Be Needed to Pass SAVE America Act
After the 2024 elections, Republicans managed to build a decent majority in the Senate, though it was still far short of the 60-vote filibuster threshhold.
As such, Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has had difficulty in getting much of what Republican and even Democrat voters want passed, including the very popular SAVE America Act.
The bill contains a number of election security and integrity provisions like requiring proof of citizenship and a government-issued ID to vote. It’s been a priority of President Trump’s for a year.
Now, finally, as the midterm election cycle approaches, the measure could be on the precipice of passage, though it may take Vice President JD Vance’s tiebreaking vote to make it happen.
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Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said Senate Republicans are working through the weekend to restructure the SAVE America Act in an effort to advance the legislation through the budget reconciliation process, allowing it to pass with a simple majority instead of the 60 votes typically required to overcome a filibuster.
Appearing on Newsmax’s “Saturday Agenda,” Hoeven said the House-passed budget resolution provides the Senate with a procedural path to bypass the filibuster, provided the bill’s voter identification provisions comply with Senate reconciliation rules and survive review by the Senate parliamentarian.
“We’re in session this week, and we’re working on it,” he said.
“The key is that we get that passed. We can do that with 51 votes, which is why we’re working so hard to do it,” he added, per the outlet.
The procedural strategy is significant because previous attempts to advance the legislation through the normal legislative process were blocked by Senate Democrats.
By using the budget reconciliation process, Republicans could avoid the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Hoeven said the goal is to craft a version of the bill that can secure support from a simple majority—51 senators, or 50 votes with the vice president casting the tie-breaking vote.
“That is the key. That is exactly what we’re working on in order to get, you know, to the 51-vote threshold so we can pass it,” he said.
The procedural strategy is significant because previous attempts to advance the legislation through the normal legislative process were blocked by Senate Democrats.
By using the budget reconciliation process, Republicans could avoid the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold.
Hoeven said the goal is to craft a version of the bill that can secure support from a simple majority—51 senators, or 50 votes with the vice president casting the tie-breaking vote.
The Senate’s procedural decisions are guided by Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough, who was appointed to the position in 2012 by then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and has remained in the role under subsequent Republican and Democratic majorities.
Earlier this year, MacDonough advised that key provisions of the SAVE America Act did not comply with the Senate’s reconciliation rules, a determination that prompted President Donald Trump to call for her removal.
When asked why MacDonough remains in the position, Hoeven said the matter is governed by Senate procedures.
“The key here is that we are putting it together in a way where, with 51 votes, we can do it so that it would not be subject to a rule or to being stopped by the parliamentarian,” the North Dakota Republican said.
“That’s the whole point.”
Hoeven said the legislation is being revised through the Senate committees with jurisdiction over its various provisions to ensure it complies with the chamber’s reconciliation rules.
If the Senate approves the revised measure, it would then return to the House of Representatives for final consideration.
“They actually move the bill and send the bill back to us, and we would pass it. So that’s the process, and that’s what we’re working on to get it done,” he told Newsmax.
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BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
Shocking 'truth' behind Prince Harry's decision to quit major role
Prince Harry should have "resigned in disgrace" from the board of a controversial African wildlife charity, a commentator says. James Walker makes the bombshell remark in Wednesday's episode of this publication's podcast, Daily Expresso.
He and the show's host, JJ Anisiobi, delve into the Duke of Sussex's dramatic decision to step down from African Parks. James, commenting on the controversy, said: "When you hear about this stuff and how long it's been going on for, you should be resigning in disgrace. [Harry] should be saying: 'I'm not touching that with a barge pole. That is a failed entity. We're going nowhere near it'.
"But no. He's still saying he's going to 'support their mission'. And again this Caroline Pearce, executive director of Survival International, goes on to say: 'His departure doesn't undo that record'.
"She alleged that African Parks was aware of the abuses for years, but it was only after Survival complained to Harry that the charity finally commissioned an investigation."
James added: "Well, she's got a point."
It emerged on Monday (August 24) that Harry was no longer a board member of the wildlife charity.
The conservation organisation has admitted that human rights abuses were committed by its rangers against members of the semi-nomadic Baka group in Congo-Brazzaville.
African Parks has said since that it has improved its safeguarding processes both in the Odzala-Kokoua National Park and institutionally.
Its admission followed an independent human rights investigation into allegations guards managed and paid by the charity had beaten, raped and tortured indigenous people in Odzala-Kokoua National Park.
Harry was president of the charity for six years before he became a member of its board of directors in 2023.
A spokesman for the Duke said he remains an active and avid supporter of African Parks. He added: "The Duke is proud of his 10 years with African Parks and fully supports the ongoing strengthening of its board.
"His commitment to conservation in Africa continues and he remains a supporter of African Parks’ mission."
Human rights organisation, Survival International, said it had been calling on Harry to step down from African Parks for years.
The group's director, Caroline Pearce, said in a statement: "It’s outrageous that for 10 years Prince Harry has served African Parks while the organisation has been responsible for abuse and violence against Indigenous people.
"His departure doesn't undo that record — African Parks itself must now be held accountable, and must abandon this model of fortress conservation for good."
Survival International said indigenous peoples know how best to manage their land and the idea outsiders know better is racist and colonial.
