Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has said there is "basically zero" chance the Senate will pass the SAVE Act before lawmakers break for their August recess, casting doubt on President Trump's top legislative priority. DeSantis made the comments on X on Monday, adding to growing scepticism that the bill — which would require voters to prove citizenship and show photo identification to register and vote — can clear the chamber in time, despite Trump publicly demanding it be pushed through.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act needs 60 votes to overcome a Democratic filibuster but has twice failed to reach that threshold, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune conceding Republicans currently lack the numbers. The Senate is due to begin its recess after 7 August, and Trump has posted on Truth Social urging Thune to keep senators in Washington until the bill passes, having earlier told House Republicans it would "guarantee the midterms." Some Republicans, including Senate Rules Committee Chairman Mitch McConnell, have voiced concern that federal election mandates could later be used by a Democratic president for a broader federal takeover of elections.