Senate Rejects Amendment to Protect Women's Sports (49-41) and Motion to Fund TSA (41-49) Amidst SAVE America Act Debate and DHS Funding Standoff
The Senate convened for a Saturday session, primarily focused on the ongoing debate surrounding the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act (S. 1383) and the contentious issue of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Two significant cloture votes occurred: one on an amendment to S. 1383, known as the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which failed 49-41, and another on a motion to suspend Senate rules to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) separately, which also failed 41-49. Extensive debate took place on the merits of the SAVE America Act, particularly its provisions on voter identification and proof of citizenship, as well as the broader implications of the DHS funding lapse.
This chamber-day was significant for two failed cloture votes on high-stakes matters, indicating deep partisan divisions. The rejection of the amendment to protect women's sports leaves the policy status quo unchanged regarding transgender athletes' participation. The failure of the motion to fund TSA separately means that TSA workers continue to operate without pay and airport disruptions are likely to persist, highlighting the ongoing impasse over DHS appropriations and the demands for reforms to immigration enforcement agencies like ICE and CBP. The continued debate on the SAVE America Act underscores the differing views on election integrity and access to the ballot box.
Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act
Amendment No. 4421 to S. 1383Question before the chamber
Cloture on the amendment to protect women and girls in athletics.
The case for
Senators Tuberville and Blackburn argued that the amendment is common sense and necessary to protect Title IX, which has opened doors for young women in sports. They highlighted that biological men have inherent physical advantages, leading to them dominating women's sports, taking away opportunities, medals, and scholarships from biological women. They cited President Trump's Executive Order banning men from competing in women's sports and sought to codify it into law, emphasizing broad public support for the measure.
The case against
The cloture motion on the amendment failed, indicating opposition to its advancement. While no direct substantive opposition to the amendment's content was aired during this specific debate segment, the vote against cloture effectively blocked its consideration.
Disposition
Cloture motion on the amendment failed · recorded vote
The amendment was not advanced for a vote.
Yeas 49, Nays 41
Who is affected
- Female athletes: Proponents argued the amendment would protect fair competition and opportunities for female athletes by ensuring they compete only against biological women.
- Educational institutions: The amendment would codify federal policy regarding athletic eligibility based on biological sex, impacting how schools manage sports programs.
- Transgender individuals: The amendment would restrict the participation of transgender women in women's sports categories.
Motion to Suspend Rule XXV to Fund TSA
Question before the chamber
Cloture on the motion to suspend Senate rules to allow consideration of a measure to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) separately.
The case for
Senator Schumer argued that the motion was a simple, direct way to pay TSA workers immediately and end the chaos at airports, emphasizing that TSA workers should not be held hostage in political games. He stated that the motion offered 'no strings attached' funding for TSA, allowing negotiations on other DHS agencies like ICE and CBP to continue separately. Senator King supported funding TSA and other non-ICE agencies immediately.
The case against
Senator Thune, Senator Scott of Florida, and Senator Marshall characterized the motion as a 'ploy' and 'convoluted,' arguing it was not a genuine appropriations bill. They contended that Democrats were responsible for the DHS shutdown by refusing to fund all DHS agencies, including ICE and CBP, without reforms. They asserted that the motion was an attempt to defund law enforcement and that Republicans had repeatedly offered to fund all of DHS, including TSA, which Democrats had blocked.
Disposition
Cloture motion on the motion to suspend rule XXV failed · recorded vote
The motion to suspend rules and consider separate TSA funding was not advanced.
Yeas 41, Nays 49
Who is affected
- TSA workers: The failure of the motion means TSA workers continue to work without pay amidst the DHS funding lapse, affecting their financial stability and morale.
- Air travelers: The continued lack of full TSA funding contributes to staffing shortages and longer security lines at airports, impacting travel efficiency and public convenience.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies: The broader DHS funding standoff, which this motion sought to partially resolve, continues to affect the operations and personnel of various agencies, including FEMA, the Coast Guard, and cybersecurity teams.
Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act
S. 1383Question before the chamber
Consideration of the House message with respect to S. 1383, with various amendments pending, including a substitute amendment and further perfecting amendments.
The case for
Senators Cassidy, Rounds, Budd, Marshall, and Lee argued that the SAVE America Act is a common-sense measure supported by a vast majority of Americans (70-80% across parties) to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections. They emphasized the need for proof of citizenship at voter registration and photo ID at the polls to prevent voter fraud, which they contend is enabled by current lax laws. They refuted claims of disenfranchisement, stating the bill provides mechanisms like sworn affidavits for those without documentation and that showing ID is a routine part of daily life. They asserted federal authority under Article I, Section 4 to regulate federal elections and dismissed privacy concerns regarding data sharing with DHS as pretextual.
The case against
Senators Whitehouse, Reed, and King argued that the SAVE America Act is a 'Steal the Next Election Act' designed to suppress votes and benefit Republicans, citing President Trump's own statements. They contended it would disenfranchise millions of legitimate American citizens, particularly women who have changed names, the elderly, and young college students, by imposing burdensome documentation requirements and effectively creating a poll tax. They highlighted the Kansas law precedent, which disenfranchised 30,000 citizens to address a negligible number of noncitizen votes. They raised concerns about centralizing voter data with DHS, citing potential for abuse, privacy violations, and vulnerability to cyberattacks. They also argued that existing laws already prohibit noncitizen voting and that the problem is illusory, while the bill represents an unconstitutional federal overreach into state election administration.
Disposition
Consideration resumed · other
The bill remains pending business, with several amendments awaiting disposition.
Amendments
- amendment No. 4420 (to the House amendment to the bill), in the nature of a substitute. (Thune (for Schmitt)) — pending
- amendment No. 4421 (to amendment No. 4420), to protect women and girls in athletics. (Thune (for Tuberville-Blackburn)) — Cloture motion failed [Yeas 49, Nays 41]
- amendment No. 4422, to change the enactment date. (Thune) — pending
- amendment No. 4423 (to the instructions (amendment No. 4422), of a perfecting nature. (Thune) — pending
- amendment No. 4424 (to amendment No. 4423), of a perfecting nature. (Thune) — pending
Who is affected
- American citizens (voters): Proponents argue the bill protects their votes from dilution by noncitizens; opponents argue it creates barriers to voting for legitimate citizens.
- State and local election officials: The bill would impose new mandates for voter registration, roll maintenance, and data sharing, potentially requiring significant overhauls and incurring unfunded costs.
- Noncitizens: The bill aims to prevent noncitizens from registering or voting in federal elections, with potential implications for those who may inadvertently register.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS): The bill would centralize voter data with DHS for citizenship verification, expanding its role in election administration.
Cloture Fails on Amendment to Protect Women and Girls in Sports
highA cloture motion on Amendment No. 4421, the 'Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act,' offered by Senators Tuberville and Blackburn as an amendment to S. 1383, failed with 49 yeas to 41 nays. Proponents argued the amendment would codify President Trump's Executive Order banning biological men from women's sports, protecting Title IX and ensuring fair competition for women. Opponents, by voting against cloture, prevented the amendment from advancing to a vote.
Motion to Suspend Rules to Fund TSA Separately Fails Cloture
highA cloture motion on a motion by Senator Schumer to suspend Senate Rule XXV to permit the Committee on Rules and Administration to consider a measure to fund the TSA separately failed with 41 yeas to 49 nays. Proponents emphasized the urgent need to pay TSA workers and alleviate airport chaos, advocating for 'no strings attached' funding. Opponents characterized the motion as a 'ploy' and argued that Democrats were responsible for the broader DHS shutdown by refusing to fund ICE and CBP without reforms.
Extensive Debate on SAVE America Act's Election Integrity Provisions
mediumSenators engaged in prolonged debate on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which aims to require proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo ID at the polls. Proponents, including Senators Cassidy, Rounds, Budd, Marshall, and Lee, asserted the bill is common sense, widely supported by Americans, and necessary to prevent noncitizen voting and protect election integrity. Opponents, including Senators Whitehouse, Reed, and King, argued the bill would disenfranchise millions of legitimate American citizens, particularly women, the elderly, and young people, and that it represents an unconstitutional federal overreach and a solution to a non-existent problem.
Cloture Motion Filed on Assistant Attorney General Nomination
lowA cloture motion was filed on the nomination of Colin McDonald, of California, to be an Assistant Attorney General (Executive Calendar No. 697). This procedural step sets up a future vote to end debate on the nomination.