Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has denied that pressure from the MAGA movement is behind his decision to endorse the talking filibuster to secure passage of the SAVE America Act.
In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Cornyn said that pressure from runoff opponent Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton or a potential endorsement from President Donald Trump did not influence his decision to endorse a procedure for which he once expressed skepticism.
"I've always been open to it," Cornyn said of using the talking filibuster. "I think, because there were people misrepresenting my position, I felt like it would be good to just be very clear."
Over the weekend, Cornyn set aside past reservations about a talking filibuster and announced on social media that he would support the procedure to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot.
Cornyn noted he was a supporter of the legislation "from day one."
Paxton advanced to a runoff election against Cornyn last week after neither garnered 50% of the primary vote.
For weeks, Paxton has tried to make Cornyn's noncommittal stance on a talking filibuster a political liability.
Both are aggressively courting Trump for an endorsement.
At times, Cornyn has echoed GOP leaders in expressing resistance to the talking filibuster tactic, which would require Democrats to physically hold the floor to block the bill.
Critics say the talking filibuster could logjam floor proceedings indefinitely and divide Republicans over unlimited simple majority amendments from Democrats.
Meanwhile, Trump has stepped up his pressure campaign, vowing not to sign any bills into law until the GOP-controlled Senate passes the measure.
Trump has also prodded congressional Republicans to attach other conservative policies to the legislation, including bans on vote by mail, men participating in women's sports, and gender transition surgery for children.
But Cornyn, an institutionalist who's long defended preserving the traditional filibuster that only requires a senator to express opposition before 60 votes are needed, also has political cover from leadership.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., reiterated Monday the lack of support among Republicans for the talking filibuster, which many fear would forever weaken the 60-vote threshold.
Thune downplayed the conservative backlash he's faced over the SAVE America Act, chalking it up to a "paid influencer ecosystem" that is amplifying calls for its passage.
"Having studied it, researched it pretty thoroughly, you have to show me how in the end it prevails and succeeds," Thune told reporters. "Because I think what has been promised out there is that it would actually, in the end, get an outcome, and I find it very hard to see that based on actual past experience."
Shortly after, Trump doubled down on his threat "not to sign anything" into law until the SAVE America Act passes during a House Republican retreat in South Florida, pitching to the GOP that the legislation will be pivotal to success in the November midterm elections.
"If it takes you six months, I'm for not approving anything," Trump said.
"I don't think we should approve anything until this is approved, and they can't win politically," he added. "You have them in a corner, and they're listening to every word I'm saying."
Jim Mishler ✉
Jim Mishler, a seasoned reporter, anchor and news director, has decades of experience covering crime, politics and environmental issues.
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