Republican voter ID bill stalls in Senate despite Trump demands

"Election-year legislation to impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements on voting appears stalled in the Senate, for now, despite President Donald Trump's call in his State of the Union speech that Republicans in Congress pass the bill "before anything else." Trump's push for the bill, backed by House conservatives and his most loyal supporters ahead of the midterm elections, has put new pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune."

"In an effort to get around Democratic opposition, Trump and others have pushed a so-called "talking filibuster," which would bring the Senate back to the days of the movie "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," when senators talked indefinitely to block legislation. Today, the Senate mostly skips the speeches and votes to end debate, which takes 60 votes in the Senate where Republicans have a 53-47 majority."

"Senate Republicans "aren't unified on an approach," Thune said on Wednesday after Trump's speech. Republicans wouldn't have to change the rules to force a talkathon. They could simply keep the Senate open and make Democrats deliver speeches for days or weeks to delay taking up the legislation. But Thune would still need enough support from his caucus to move forward with that approach, and he said this week that "we aren't there yet.""

Proposed election-year legislation requiring Americans to prove citizenship through documents like passports or birth certificates, and present valid photo identification to vote, faces stalled progress in the Senate. President Trump called for Republicans to pass the bill before other legislation, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune reports the GOP conference lacks unified strategy. Democrats oppose the measure, prompting discussions about using a "talking filibuster" to bypass normal Senate procedures. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority, requiring 60 votes to end debate under current rules. Thune indicated insufficient caucus support exists to implement alternative procedural approaches, creating tension between Trump's demands and legislative reality.

Read at Boston.com