Trump disappointed Republicans haven't ended filibuster to pass SAVE America Act

President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Senate Republicans for failing to eliminate the filibuster, the procedural hurdle requiring 60 votes that has stalled his legislative priorities.

Since returning to office last year, Trump has repeatedly urged Republicans to end the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The rule is blocking the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, a bill mandating voter ID and citizenship verification that Trump and conservatives see as vital to success in the midterm elections.

On Tuesday, Trump said he was disappointed Republicans had not terminated the filibuster. He declined to fault Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. "I'm disappointed," Trump said. "I like John a lot, but he, you know, he has a couple of Republicans that are foolish people. A couple of them are, like, a couple of them I can't stand, actually."

Trump did not specify which Republicans he meant, though he has often criticized GOP members who diverge from his agenda. He insisted Republicans must scrap the filibuster or face Democratic victories in November.

Trump said the SAVE America Act would have passed without the filibuster. It would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and restrict mail-in voting. "Because anytime you have mail-in voting, they're going to cheat. And they cheat like dogs, and they have to cheat," he said. "When you have policies like that, you have to cheat. It's the only way they can win. And we shouldn't allow them to cheat. And we should terminate the filibuster, because if they get the chance, they'll do it in the first hour back."

Some Senate Republicans share Trump's worry that if Democrats under Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., retake the chamber, they will move to eliminate the filibuster. Even so, Republicans show little interest in dropping the tool, which the minority party has long used to block one-sided bills.

The Senate continues to debate the SAVE America Act after it failed a test vote last month. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., proposed it as an amendment to the GOP budget blueprint for immigration enforcement funding. The measure fell short of a simple majority, the standard that would apply if the filibuster ended.