Thune's Talkathon: GOP's Voter ID Bill Faces Democrat Opposition

0:00Reporting from the Daily News, now, I'm Corey, with the latest in Durham. Senate Majority Leader John Thune from South Dakota is launching an extended talkathon on the Senate floor. This indefinite debate aims to pressure Democrats on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAV Act. The bill, which already passed the House, will require photo identification for voters and proof of citizenship. Republicans plan to hold the floor for days or even weeks. President Trump has made this a top priority. He says he will not sign any other bills until it passes. Even though federal law already requires voters to affirm citizenship under penalty of prosecution, Trump argues it's essential for election security. His party won big in 2024 without these new rules. Democrats stand united against it, saying it could block millions of eligible voters without easy access to documents. They call it a suppression tactic ahead of the midterms. Without 60 votes, the bill faces a tough road since Republicans refuse to scrap the filibuster.

1:04Instead of a full-talking filibuster pushed by Trump, Thune's team will control the floor themselves. This denies Democrats a long-speaking platform and lets Republicans offer amendments on issues like limiting mail and ballots. Officials say no major bill has ever passed this way before. Meanwhile, some Republicans worry it might not fully satisfy Trump, who wants results. Senators like Mike Lee and Katie Britt say they're pushing hard, but outcomes remain unclear. Democrats are gearing up to counter with facts on the floor. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. When you need a moment alone, just lay back and listen. S-O-L-I-SoliPillow.com