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The SAVE America Act has reportedly stalled in the U.S. Senate, but there may be another way to get it approved, according to U.S. Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.).
“Just so America knows, after two weeks in recess, John Thune is no longer considering the SAVE America Act,” she said on X on Monday.
Despite President Donald Trump’s repeated calls on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act – legislation that would codify voter ID and proof of citizenship to register to vote – Republicans in the Senate have failed to prioritize the bill.
Now, Rep. Luna has suggested a political ploy designed to force the SAVE legislation through: a clean extension on FISA 702 in exchange for the SAVE America Act.
Section 702 of FISA, the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, is yet another provision that President Trump is pushing for Republicans to pass.
FISA has drawn criticism for its broad surveillance parameters, but it is largely seen as an item that lawmakers will easily approve.
President Donald Trump only recently called for a clean extension of Section 702, stating, “When the Dirty Cop, James Comey, the failed Head of the FBI went after me, he was using FISA Title I, the Domestic Collection, not FISA 702, the Foreign Collection, which needs to be extended today.”
Rep. Luna fired off, “They want surveillance powers renewed but won’t secure elections? No SAVE America Act = No FISA.”
In a video posted to X on Tuesday, Rep. Luna shared further insight into the matter, noting, “Negotiations for FISA are still taking place, and of course, the Senate is no longer considering the SAVE America Act, so the only option, and I’ve been saying this for literally weeks now, is to put voter ID onto FISA, period. This is a must-pass piece of legislation, meaning that the Senate is not likely to vote it down.”
She also directly addressed Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
“The thing is, guys, is that we have a Republican majority. Thune – I know you don’t like me for saying this, John – but this is literally your call, you are literally blocking this, and the American people overwhelmingly want it,” Luna added. “…We’re not gonna vote for FISA unless this is contained in it. We need voter ID. Common sense.”
President Donald Trump was asked by reporters aboard Air Force One this weekend whether he supported Rep. Luna’s idea of linking the FISA renewal to the SAVE America Act.
“I think she’s great, and I’d love to see that,” he said. “The SAVE America Act is so important, so good. It’s voter ID…it’s your basics about a democracy.”
