President Donald Trump called on Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster so they can pass the SAVE America Act and lock in Republican control of the government for the next 50 years.

Speaking during an executive order signing on Thursday, April 30, Trump said Republicans can achieve a lot if they eliminate the 60-vote threshold that now blocks most bills in the Senate.

Without it, he argued, they could pass many bills easily and never lose another election for half a century.

“If we don’t have the filibuster, we can pass laws and acts we never even dreamt of passing,” Trump said. He added that passing the SAVE America Act would mean “we wouldn’t lose for 50 years.”

SAVE America Act

The SAVE America Act, also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, would require proof of U.S. citizenship when people register to vote in federal elections.

It would also demand photo identification at the polls in many cases. Supporters say the bill closes loopholes that allow non-citizens to vote. Trump has pushed the measure as a top priority since taking office again.

The bill has passed the House but faces stiff opposition in the Senate. Democrats are against it, saying it would make it harder for millions of eligible American citizens to register and vote, especially those without easy access to birth certificates or passports. They say non-citizen voting is already rare and illegal under current law.

Right now, the Senate filibuster lets the minority party block most legislation unless 60 senators vote to end debate.

With Republicans holding the majority but not 60 seats, the SAVE Act cannot advance without Democratic support or a rules change.

What Trump wants

Trump wants Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other Republicans to use the “nuclear option”, a simple majority vote to change Senate rules and lower or eliminate the 60-vote requirement for this bill and others.

Trump has previously warned that keeping the filibuster would be a mistake that could cost Republicans future elections if the SAVE Act does not advance and become law.

Republicans have been divided on the idea, with some conservatives, including Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, pushing for aggressive tactics such as forcing a “talking filibuster,” in which Democrats would have to stay on the floor for hours to block the bill.

Some fear that killing the filibuster could backfire the next time Democrats take control of the Senate.

The filibuster has existed in some form for more than 100 years. Senators created a formal way to end debate, called cloture, in 1917.

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They lowered the threshold to 60 votes in 1975. Both parties have used the tool when in the minority to stop bills they disliked.

In recent years, Senate leaders from both sides have carved out exceptions. In 2013 and 2017, majorities changed the rules to allow most presidential nominees to pass with a simple 51-vote majority.

The legislative filibuster for regular bills has remained in place.

Critics of Trump’s push say removing the filibuster would turn the Senate into a smaller version of the House, where the majority party can ram through its agenda with little compromise.

They warn that it could lead to wild swings in policy whenever power changes hands.

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Trump’s allies have been supporting the president’s call, arguing that Democrats would eliminate the filibuster themselves if they regain the majority, so Republicans should act first while they hold the advantage.

The debate over the SAVE America Act comes as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections.

Republicans hope a strong turnout on election security issues will help them keep or expand their majorities.