Just three weeks into President Trump's second term, the GOP establishment is already showing its true colors by systematically undermining legislation that would actually secure American elections and restore voter confidence.
The SAVE America Act should be a slam dunk for any Republican who claims to support election integrity. The bill would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections—something that should be common sense in any functioning democracy. But apparently, common sense is in short supply among Senate Republicans who are more concerned with maintaining their cozy relationships with the swamp than delivering for the American people.
The Usual RINO Suspects Strike Again
Leading the charge against Trump's agenda is Alaska's Lisa Murkowski, who has made a career out of stabbing conservative voters in the back. Her outright opposition to the SAVE Act proves once again that she's more interested in pleasing her D.C. cocktail party friends than protecting the integrity of our elections.
Then there's Texas Senator John Cornyn, pulling his typical flip-flop routine on the filibuster. When it suits the establishment's purposes, Cornyn is all for procedural roadblocks. But when Trump needed Republicans to fight for his nominees or conservative priorities, suddenly these same senators found every excuse in the book to maintain the status quo.
Majority Leader Thune's Failure Theater
Perhaps most disappointing is Majority Leader John Thune's weak leadership on this critical issue. Thune has the tools to push this legislation through, but instead he's choosing to engage in the kind of failure theater that has made Republican voters so disgusted with their own party.
"The Senate GOP's refusal to do what's necessary to pass the SAVE America Act has been a sight to behold," according to sources familiar with the legislative maneuvering.
Patriots didn't send Republicans to Washington to play nice with Democrats or protect the feelings of the administrative state. They sent them to drain the swamp and restore accountability to our elections. The SAVE Act would do exactly that—which is precisely why the establishment is so terrified of it.
How long will Republican voters tolerate a party that campaigns on conservative principles but governs like Democrats? The answer to that question may determine whether the GOP deserves to keep its majority.