President Donald Trump's push for his Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act has run into difficulty in the Senate after a key Republican, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has been absent for an extended period with no clear return date. His absence is complicating the reconciliation process needed to advance several Republican legislative priorities, with the election integrity bill among those affected.

Trump has been personally lobbying GOP senators on Capitol Hill to back the legislation, which would introduce voter ID requirements and other election integrity measures. Details on McConnell's health or reasons for his absence remain sparse, but the uncertainty is reportedly slowing the bill's path through the Senate at a time when Republicans are keen to advance it ahead of the midterm elections.