Thune Tells White House to Secure Votes for SAVE America Act

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) told the White House to start making phone calls to secure votes for the stalled SAVE America Act.

The exchange highlights growing friction between the legislative leadership and the executive branch over the strategy to pass the priority legislation in the U.S. Senate.

The confrontation began during a White House press briefing on Thursday. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump's patience is running out on the stalled SAVE America Act ^[1]. The remark served as a public signal of frustration from the Oval Office regarding the bill's lack of progress in the upper chamber ^[2].

Thune responded by suggesting that the White House should take a more active role in the lobbying process. He said that the responsibility for securing the necessary support does not rest solely with Senate leadership, especially when the president's priorities are at stake.

"Maybe she or somebody else ought to get on the phone and get the votes," Thune said ^[1]. "Right? It's 50 around here" ^[1].

Thune's reference to the number 50 underscores the specific threshold needed to move the act forward ^[1]. By challenging Leavitt, the Majority Leader shifted the pressure back toward the administration to use its political leverage to sway reluctant lawmakers.

The SAVE America Act has faced delays in the Senate, leading to the current impasse between the White House's public demands and the legislative reality on the ground. While the administration continues to push for a swift passage, Thune's comments suggest a refusal to accept sole blame for the stalemate.