‘Whatever it Takes’: Blackburn Says Senate Could Debate SAVE America Act for Weeks to Secure Passage

Kaitlin Housler
Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Tennessee U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said the Senate could remain locked in debate over the SAVE America Act for weeks if necessary, emphasizing her determination to see the legislation reach President Donald Trump’s desk.

In an exclusive interview with The Tennessee Star’s CEO and Editor-in-Chief Michael Patrick Leahy on Thursday, Blackburn made clear she is prepared for a prolonged fight to pass the bill.

“It doesn’t matter if we sit in our seats for the next four weeks. We need to get this passed,” Blackburn said on The Michael Patrick Leahy Show.

Blackburn emphasized that bringing the legislation to the Senate floor marks a significant milestone. She described the current process as a “regular order debate,” noting that Republicans have already taken procedural steps to shape the bill, including adding amendments.

“Conservatives need to be cheering the fact that we finally got it to the Senate floor and that we are able to get people on the record. This is a huge win,” Blackburn said. “We filed what is called the amendment tree…adding the end of unsolicited mail-in ballots; no men in women’s sports; and the national ban on gender mutilation surgeries for minors. Those are the amendments that we have.”

According to Blackburn, she is personally leading efforts related to restrictions on sex change medical procedures for minors, while U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) is spearheading provisions concerning transgender athletes in women’s sports.

A central component of the SAVE America Act involves stricter voting requirements, including mandatory voter identification and proof of citizenship, which Blackburn underscored are principles widely supported by the American public.

“People by a vast, overwhelming majority believe that, first of all, you should be a citizen if you register to vote, and secondly, you should have to show a photo ID in order to vote,” Blackburn said.

Blackburn went on to emphasize that one of the key goals in prolonging debate is to publicly document where lawmakers stand on the legislation. She argued that extended floor debate is already producing admissions from those who oppose the bill, which she views as politically and substantively significant.

“We’ve heard the Democrats stand on the Senate floor and admit that showing an ID to vote is reasonable,” she said. “We’ve also heard one of them admit that yes, there are some that are illegally here that vote, but it’s not that many.”

“Through this debate, we are getting them on the record,” Blackburn added. “We are getting some of these admissions out of them, and every time they admit they’re wrong, that is a win for conservatives. It helps move us further down the line so that we can get a vote so that we can change minds and we can end up passing this and getting it to the president’s desk.”

When asked about timing for a final vote, Blackburn said no firm schedule has been set. Despite uncertainty, she expressed optimism about the bill’s chances.

“I think there’s a very good chance,” Blackburn said, adding that ongoing debate is helping build momentum.

“We have to get this bill passed and whatever it takes, I am in for getting this bill passed. I will sit on that floor and work every day like we’ve been doing to get this and get it done,” she added.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Sen. Marsha Blackburn” by Sen. Marsha Blackburn.

 

 

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