Thune responds to Leavitt quip that Trump’s patience with him ‘running out’ over SAVE America Act

Senate Majority Leader John Thune rejected White House criticism that President Trump’s patience with him was “running out” over the stalled SAVE America Act. Thune said the administration should help secure support from Democrats and persuadable Republicans, rather than blame Senate Republicans; the exchange underscores tension between the White House and its Senate allies over a key voting proposal.

The bill would require documentary proof of US citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register for federal elections and would seek to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. Critics say it could make registration harder for eligible voters, while Thune says it lacks the 60 Senate votes needed to overcome a filibuster; eliminating that rule would require 50 Republican votes, but more than half the conference opposes doing so.