South Carolina's brand new Republican Senator Darline Graham has barely had time to find the restroom in the Capitol, and she's already threatening to cancel summer vacation for the entire Senate. As Trending Politics reported, Graham announced Monday that she will block any attempt to recess until lawmakers actually vote on the SAVE America Act.
Graham declared that President Trump is "100% correct" and pledged to remain in Washington for however long it takes to get the bill across the finish line. She said she traveled to D.C. to fight for South Carolinians and push a conservative agenda. Not exactly the gentle orientation period most freshmen senators enjoy.
The SAVE America Act would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration and require photo ID at polling locations. For supporters, this is about as controversial as requiring a license to drive a car. For opponents, it is apparently the end of democracy as we know it.
Meanwhile, Trump went absolutely nuclear on Senate Majority Leader John Thune via Truth Social, demanding that senators either pass the bill or nuke the filibuster entirely. He even busted out a 1929 reference, because nothing says "casual Monday post" like invoking the year of the Great Depression. Trump also called Democrats "Dumocrats," which, say what you will, at least shows creative spelling consistency.
Thune keeps insisting the votes simply are not there under current rules. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina went even further, calling the whole push a "waste of time." That kind of enthusiasm really inspires confidence in the legislative process, doesn't it?
But Graham is not alone in her rebellion. Senators Mike Lee of Utah, Jim Banks of Indiana, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, Ashley Moody of Florida, and Rick Scott of Florida have all demanded the recess be scrapped until action is taken. That is a growing pile of senators who apparently have no summer plans.
What makes Graham's stance particularly notable is the timing. She was only sworn in on July 14, replacing her late brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away from an aortic rupture. Rather than spending her first weeks quietly learning the ropes, she jumped straight into a showdown with party leadership.
Lindsey Graham's memorial service is scheduled for Tuesday in the Capitol Rotunda, with a six person Armed Forces body bearer team expected to escort his casket. A separate funeral will follow Wednesday in South Carolina after a Tuesday afternoon service at the National Cathedral.
Trump has been wielding legislative hostages left and right to force action on this bill. He canceled the signing of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act because the Senate hadn't moved on the SAVE Act. He also threatened to oppose reauthorizing Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act unless the election integrity measure gets attached.
Before his passing, Lindsey Graham had introduced an amendment attaching the SAVE Act to the Secure America Act reconciliation package. That effort collapsed when Republican Senators Collins, Murkowski, McConnell, and Tillis voted against it. So now his sister is essentially continuing the family business.
Democrats argue the legislation would restrict ballot access. Republicans counter that restricting access for people who cannot prove citizenship is precisely the point. And the Senate remains trapped in its favorite pastime: arguing about whether to actually do anything while the clock runs out.
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