BREAKING: Trump's own voting bill could backfire on Republicans — and Senate Republicans know it

Описание: BREAKING: Trump's own voting bill could backfire on Republicans — and Senate Republicans know it

Donald Trump is demanding Republicans pass the SAVE Act immediately. But here's the twist: his own party says the bill could hurt Republican voters just as much as Democrats.

At a rally this week, Trump publicly pressured Senate Majority Leader John Thune, insisting Republicans "get it done." The White House doubled down, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt saying the president's "patience is running out."

So why are Republican senators resisting?

Because the numbers tell a very different story.

The SAVE Act would require Americans to provide proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote in person. It would also require photo ID for voting and significantly restrict mail-in voting.

On paper, Trump argues it's about election security.

But critics — including some Republicans — warn it could make voting harder for millions of eligible Americans.

Here's why.

Nearly 146 million Americans don't have a passport, according to widely cited estimates. Many of the states with the lowest passport ownership consistently vote Republican.

Then there's the issue of married women.

Millions of American women changed their last name after marriage, meaning the name on their birth certificate may not match their current ID. Voting rights experts say that could create additional hurdles when registering under the bill.

Mail voting is another sticking point.

Republican voters in states like Arizona, Florida, and Alaska rely heavily on absentee and mail ballots. Restricting those ballots could affect GOP turnout as well as Democratic turnout.

That helps explain why several Republican senators have expressed concerns or declined to support the legislation in its current form.

John Thune has repeatedly acknowledged the votes simply aren't there.

Even members of Trump's own party appear divided over whether the bill is politically achievable.

With the 2026 midterms approaching, the debate has exposed growing tensions inside the Republican Party over election policy.

Instead of uniting Republicans, Trump's signature voting proposal has become one of the biggest fights within the GOP itself.