The long-awaited Senate battle over election integrity has officially begun.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) just confirmed that debate on the SAVE America Act is kicking off TODAY on the Senate floor, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown that will finally force every Democrat (and any spineless RINO) to publicly defend their opposition to requiring proof of American citizenship before voting in federal elections.
Last week, Thune performed a U-turn of sorts, telling reporters that there would be a vote this week, giving those advocating for the SAVE Act a chance to pass it.
But then he made clear he thought the whole issue was a waste of time since Democrats would probably end up defeating the measure anyway.
Sen. Thune: “That debate will happen. But as I said, I can guarantee the debate. I can guarantee a vote. I just can’t guarantee an outcome.
I think there are a lot of optimistic views about what Democrats may or may not do.
We all know, because we deal with them every day, that the Democrats are not all of a sudden going to decide that this is something they want to be for.
I think you have a lot of optimists out there, and I appreciate that, and a lot of passion and energy behind getting an outcome here. But getting an outcome would require Democrat votes.
And, you know, we’ll give them a chance. Like I said, they’ll have that opportunity to vote one way or the other on this.
But I would be very, very surprised.”
Then last week, Senator Lee, the lead sponsor of the SAVE America Act, confirmed that after intense negotiations with Thune’s office, a HYBRID form of the “talking filibuster” is set to be implemented.
Mike Lee: “Okay, important update on the Save America Act and the effort to get it passed. Look, I am guardedly optimistic. We’ve turned kind of a corner over the last few days. There’s been some uncertainty about exactly what procedure we will and will not be using. In the end, we’ve been working closely with Leader Thune and his staff, and they’ve been great to work with.
What we’re coming up with is something that I think is best described as a hybrid version of the talking filibuster. But look, let’s not get mired down in nomenclature. What matters far more than what we call it is what we do with it.
We’re going to bring it to the floor. We’re going to debate it for an extended period of time before filing cloture. And in my view—at least, I don’t want to speak for anyone else—this bill needs to remain on the Senate floor before we file cloture for as long as it takes to get it done.
Now, the fact that Leader Thune and his office have been willing to work with us on this, and that they appear open to a variation of that, is a good thing. So let’s keep up the momentum. Let’s encourage them to continue to do this. Let’s put the bill on the floor. Let’s make those who want to filibuster speak, and keep it on there as long as possible.”
On Monday, Senator Lee just dropped the hammer and confirmed that debate on the SAVE America Act is kicking off TODAY on the Senate floor.
In a fiery statement, Sen. Lee made it clear that this will not be business as usual in the Senate.
“After two years of preparation, the Senate will begin debating the SAVE America Act tomorrow. Once we’re on this bill, we must stay on it until it’s passed into law. Filibustering senators must be required to speak—no zombie filibusters here. Get it done. Pass it on.”
Lee doubled down in a video message, calling this moment a culmination of years of effort alongside Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), who originally co-authored the legislation.
“It’s been about two years since Chip Roy and I wrote the SAVE Act, which later became the Save America Act. Tomorrow, this will come to fruition as the Save America Act comes to the floor of the United States Senate.
I invite all within the sound of my voice who would like this bill to become law to reach out to as many people as possible—friends, neighbors, and especially United States senators who might listen to you. Ask them, “Please get this passed.”
Tell them we need to invoke the talking filibuster in the United States Senate. No zombie filibuster will suffice on this one. We’ve got to turn to this bill. We’ve got to debate it. We’ve got to stay on the bill until it becomes law.
There can be no surrender. There can be no ifs, ands, or buts. There can be no cheap imitations here.
The Republic is on the line. Let’s get this done.”
WATCH:
After two years of preparation, the Senate will begin debating the SAVE America Act tomorrow
Once we’re on this bill, we must stay on it until it’s passed into law
Filibustering senators must be required to speak—no Zombie Filibusters here
Get it done
Pass it on pic.twitter.com/GGfJkNMUAU
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 16, 2026
When asked directly whether this effort amounts to a talking filibuster, Lee’s response was blunt:
“Yes.”
Yes
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) March 17, 2026
The post SENATE SHOWDOWN BEGINS: Sen. Mike Lee Confirms SAVE America Act Debate Kicks Off TODAY — Allegedly “Talking Filibuster” to FORCE Democrats to Defend Their Opposition on the Floor appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.