GOP Representative Anna Paulina Luna issued an on-air ultimatum to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, saying on Fox News’ Saturday in America the House would block Senate legislation unless the chamber debated and voted on The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.

The Florida Republican had made a similar ultimatum on X on Friday, as had Representative Brandon Gill, a Texas Republican, who noted that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding should be exempt.

“I’ll be voting ‘no’ on all Senate bills – other than DHS funding – until the Senate passes the SAVE America Act,” he wrote on X on Friday.

Why It Matters

President Donald Trump said on Sunday he would not sign any other bills until the SAVE America Act is passed by the U.S. Senate. While Republicans hold a narrow majority in the Senate, the legislation so far does not have the 60 votes it needs to overcome a filibuster.

The legislation, backed by allies of Trump and framed by the White House as part of a broader “SAVE America Act” agenda, has drawn support from advocates of tighter eligibility verification, as well as criticism from Democrats, voting access groups and policy analysts who warn about administrative burdens and potential disenfranchisement.

What To Know

Luna urged Thune, a South Dakota Republican, on Saturday to bring the bill to the floor. Thune has faced growing pressure from some Republicans to pursue a “talking filibuster,” which would require Democrats to hold the floor continuously to delay the measure. But Thune has said that is “much more complicated and risky than people are assuming at the moment,” and would rather go through the typical process.

The SAVE America Act would shift voter registration standards nationwide. The bill H.R. 22, which cleared the House 220-208, would require Americans to present documentary proof of citizenship when applying to register for federal elections, changing long-standing practices under the National Voter Registration Act and putting new obligations on election offices and voter registration agencies.

Despite the House having already approved the bill, Trump has said the current version does not go far enough, pressing Republicans to add stricter limits on mail‑in ballots and other provisions before he would sign it.

Luna said that House Republicans will either block Senate legislation or try to attach the SAVE Act as a rule to other legislation, saying to Thune, if he does not bring the legislation to the floor, “you will not have any legislation passed and we will attach it to FISA [Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act].”

She also called out Thune over the filibuster saying, “The Senate said they didn’t have time to debate this on the House floor, yet they literally had time for a dog parade. So there’s no excuse for not embracing the standing filibusters.”

Gill, who also appeared on Fox News’ Saturday in America, estimated upwards of 40 other House Republicans agree with the ultimatum.

“We’re willing to hold the line. We’re on the side of the history here and we have the American people with us,” Luna said. “It’s an overwhelmingly popular issue and the president supports it. And Mr. president, we’ll do everything in the House to actually get this on your desk and, yes, that means going up against the Senate.”

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump said at the House Republican retreat last week: “The people are demanding it. Every time I go out, save America, save America. We want the SAVE America Act. That’s all they talk about. They don’t talk about housing. They don’t talk about anything. That’s what they talk about. And if you send it up there, you will win the midterms and you will win every election for a long time.”

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a South Dakota Republican, said on the Senate floor on Thursday: “Next week I will be bringing the SAVE America Act to the floor, and we’ll be having a full and robust debate. I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation. I can guarantee you that we are going to put Democrats on the record, that they will be forced to defend their outrageous positions on these issues.”

Senator Mazie Hirono, a Hawaii Democrat, said in a Friday X post: “First, Trump wanted to redraw districts to favor Republicans. Then he wanted to cancel mail-in ballots. Now, he wants to pass the SAVE Trump Act — a bill that makes it HARDER for you to register to vote. Are you noticing a pattern? They want to steal our upcoming elections.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, said in a March 8 X post: “The SAVE Act is Jim Crow 2.0. It would disenfranchise tens of millions of people.  If Trump is saying he won’t sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed, then so be it: there will be total gridlock in the Senate.  Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances.”

Representative Derrick Van Orden, a Wisconsin Republican, said in an X post on March 9: “I am not voting for Senate Bills unless they have 80%+ approval from Americans until the SAVE America Act is passed. I am done with this buffoonery.”

Billionaire Elon Musk said in a Friday X post: “Failing to pass SAVE is an act of high treason against the people of America.”

What Happens Next

Thune said the Senate will take up the SAVE America Act next week, setting up floor debate on the measure.