Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters that advocates of President Trump’s strict voting bill should “turn our fire on the Democrats.”
Thune is facing mounting pressure from Trump to pass the legislation known as the SAVE America Act.
Trump in July demanded the Senate Majority Leader cancel the chamber’s upcoming August break until senators pass a strict proof-of-citizenship voting bill, even as Republicans lack the votes to advance it.
On the other hand, Thune said passing the measure was his top priority going into the August recess.
“It seems to me sometimes I’m the only one who can count to 50 in this town. But we don’t have the votes to get rid of the filibuster, and we aren’t flipping 10 Democrats to vote for the SAVE America Act,” Thune said.
When asked about Sen. Bernie Moreno’s call for Rep. Max Miller to resign from Congress, Thune called it a ” family matter” and demurred, saying he does not “have any observations beyond that.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer spoke to reporters on the Michigan Democratic primary, where it will likely offer the country its clearest gauge yet on the direction of the Democratic Party, as primary voters in the battleground state choose between a progressive standard-bearer and an establishment-backed candidate.
When asked whether he would support the winner of the primary in the state, he replied “Bottom line, we are going to win Michigan, take back the Senate and have a majority.”
Although there have been similar contests for Senate seats around the country, this one will hold extra weight because Michigan is a key state in presidential races.
Abdul El-Sayed, backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, came out ahead of four-term Rep. Haley Stevens, who was supported by Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer.
