Senator John Cornyn of Texas, a long-time defender of the Senate filibuster, delivered a startling message Wednesday: he’s now willing to dismantle the very rule he once championed. This dramatic shift comes as he aggressively pushes for a specific voter ID bill backed by former President Trump, aiming for passage before the upcoming midterm elections.
Cornyn’s reversal isn’t happening in a vacuum. He’s locked in a contentious primary runoff election, vying for the Republican nomination against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The stakes are high, and both candidates are keenly aware of the importance of securing an endorsement from the former president.
For years, Cornyn publicly argued the filibuster was a crucial safeguard, preventing radical changes pushed through by a simple majority. He believed Texas, and the nation, benefited from its protections. However, he now asserts that changing circumstances demand a change in strategy, writing that leaders must “take stock and adapt.”
The bill in question, the SAVE America Act, would mandate proof of citizenship for federal elections, enforce strict voter ID requirements, and compel states to purge non-citizens from voter rolls. Trump has repeatedly emphasized its importance, labeling it his “number one priority” and threatening to withhold his signature from other legislation until it reaches his desk.
The path forward is fraught with obstacles. Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledges the votes simply aren’t there to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold. He’s also cautioned against alternative tactics, like a “talking filibuster,” fearing it could paralyze the Senate floor.
Adding to the pressure, a potential government shutdown looms as Democrats refuse to fund the Department of Homeland Security without significant changes to immigration enforcement. Both the SAVE America Act and DHS funding face the same 60-vote hurdle, requiring bipartisan support that currently seems unlikely.
Cornyn frames the situation as a stark choice: “We can either unilaterally disarm, or we can stand and fight.” He firmly believes the time for compromise is over, advocating for a forceful stand to overcome what he calls Democratic obstruction.
Paxton, Cornyn’s primary opponent, has even suggested he might withdraw from the race if the Senate abandons the filibuster and passes the voter ID bill, underscoring its perceived importance within the Texas Republican landscape. He declared the bill the “most important” the Senate could consider.
Despite the urgency and Cornyn’s newfound willingness to reshape Senate rules, the SAVE America Act remains a long shot. It narrowly passed the House along party lines, and the Senate’s current political realities suggest a difficult battle ahead.
