Schumer on SAVE Act: “Democrats will hold the line”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Tuesday sharply criticized the SAVE America Act, Republicans' elections legislation, calling it a "pernicious, radical bill" as the chamber prepares to hold days of debate on the measure, a top priority for President Trump.

"We all know why Donald Trump wants this bill. He's afraid Republicans will lose in November," the Democrat said on the floor.

Sen. Schumer argued the bill, which would require ID and proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, would lead to voter suppression by requiring Americans to produce paperwork they might not easily have on hand.

"Trump says pass the SAVE Act and it will quote 'guarantee the midterm.' Imagine, manipulating the electoral process to try to make himself the winner when he thinks he's going to lose. Not surprising, I suppose, from Donald Trump," he said.

Republicans are planning to hold days of debate on the measure, including late nights and possibly weekend work, but the measure is exceedingly unlikely to pass since Republicans do not have the votes to break a Democratic filibuster, nor to change the chamber's rules to pass it with a simple majority vote.

"Let's be clear, Senate Democrats will never allow the SAVE Act to pass this chamber," Sen. Schumer said. "If a small band of MAGA senators wants to drag this out on the Senate floor … they can try. It will not work. MAGA Republicans, Senate Democrats will hold the line as long as necessary because with this bill, democracy is at stake."