Vice President JD Vance told the Daily Caller that he and President Trump discussed taking over the Senate floor to pass the SAVE America Act. The two leaders “obsessively” discussed how to remove the filibuster to get the bill passed. Vance stated they have played out this scenario internally with great detail. They realized the math simply did not work for their side.
Vance explained the specific mechanics of the takeover plan to interviewer Vince Coglianese. He noted that if the vice president takes the chair, he could fire the parliamentarian. This move would change the rules on the floor immediately.
However, the strategy hit a wall when Vance counted the votes. He noted that removing the parliamentarian would lead “Four or five Republicans, at least, and maybe 10 Republicans” to join Democrats in overturning the new chair. The Democrats would have 47 senators, and they only need four Republicans to reach 51 votes.
Vance identified the specific senators who would likely vote with the opposition. He listed “Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Tom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski” as the four needed to block the move. Vance told Breitbart that the problem is not the parliamentarian or the chair. He stated that the issue is that four or five Republicans, and we all know who they are, will stand with Democrats. This group votes more with the other party than their own.
Election integrity is not a partisan issue, it is an AMERICAN ISSUE.
Let us unite and pass the SAVE America Act and ensure every American’s right to vote in a free and fair election is protected. pic.twitter.com/VRsQUqUbtn
— JD Vance (@JDVance) July 17, 2026
The SAVE America Act aims to ensure only American citizens decide elections. According to Breitbart, the bill requires valid identification to register for federal voting. It also demands proof of citizenship and limits mail-in ballots to specific cases like illness or military service. The bill has stalled in the Senate due to opposition from Democrats and some Republicans.
Vance admitted they wanted to act months ago but decided against it. He believes the current path is a “fun little ceremonial battle that you lose.”
Vance argues that the only way to win is to change the people in the Senate. He told the Daily Caller that the White House wants to replace “mediocre Republican senators with good Republican senators.” This approach would secure the votes needed to pass major legislation. He believes this strategy will lead to victory in the upcoming midterms.
The vice president emphasized that sticking together is the key to success. Without that unity, the legislative agenda remains stuck. Vance said that if 51 GOP senators or 50 plus a vice president stick together, they could pass the act and other “amazing stuff.”
He remains firm that there are no shortcuts to fixing the election system. Vance informed Breitbart that “There is no shortcut,” explaining that while many blame the parliamentarian, the actual problem lies with Republican senators who side more with Democrats than their party. The focus must shift to the voters who choose these senators.
The administration now faces the choice of waiting for new senators or finding another way. Vance stated, “There can be no more excuses!” regarding the need to secure the vote. The Daily Caller reported that Vance and Trump continue to discuss how to pass the bill. They have not given up on the goal of the SAVE America Act.
Vance believes the current opposition will be replaced in time. He said, “Which is why you’re going to win the midterms.” The plan relies on future elections to clear the path for the bill. Until then, the filibuster remains a barrier to passing the law.
The final decision rests on whether Republicans can unite or replace the holdouts. Vance told the Daily Caller, “Trust me, we have played it out internally with a lot of great people, including the president of the United States.” The team knows the numbers and the risks involved. They are waiting for the right moment to act.
