President Donald Trump demanded Wednesday night that congressional Republicans immediately pass a third $350 billion reconciliation package that includes the SAVE America Act.
"I am hereby calling on Republicans in Congress to IMMEDIATELY advance and pass the forthcoming $350 Billion Reconciliation Bill (Recon 3.0) — which, at the request of our Great Department of War — will include THE SAVE AMERICA ACT as well," Trump wrote in a lengthy Truth Social post.
"No games, no delays, and no weak compromises! Do this ASAP," he added.
Trump's push comes a day after Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense Chair Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said they were skeptical about pursuing a third reconciliation package.
Collins said a third bill would be a "terrible risk" and could create funding "instability" for defense programs.
Trump, however, said that the legislation is the "ONLY path to the full $1.5 TRILLION DOLLAR Military Budget our Warriors need in order to build THE ARSENAL OF FREEDOM."
According to Trump, the funding will support the development of the Golden Dome missile defense system, production of F-47 and B-21 aircraft, and efforts to expand U.S. ammunition stockpiles.
The president's comments follow a recent analysis that found it could take years to replenish some advanced weapons systems used by the United States during the Iran war.
Trump also urged lawmakers to include the SAVE America Act, a voting measure that has struggled to gain enough support in the Senate.
The legislation would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, mandate photo identification for voting, and largely prohibit mail-in ballots except in cases involving illness, disability, military service, or travel.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., however, expressed doubt about the SAVE America Act, pointing out that it did not get 50 votes last week on the Senate floor, reports The Hill.
"The SAVE America Act didn't even get 50 votes last week on the floor of the Senate," Thune said.
"Even if you confine it to just the two issues of photo ID [to vote] and [documented proof of] citizenship in order to register to vote, on those two issues, it takes 60 votes in the Senate," he said. "The only way to get there is to undo or get rid of the legislative filibuster, and there aren't even close to the votes here in the United States Senate to achieve that."
Trump's full post was as follows:
"No other President has ever been more committed to both REBUILDING our Great Military and SAVING our Great Country — And NOW is the time to make it happen, for Generations to come.
I am hereby calling on Republicans in Congress to IMMEDIATELY advance and pass the forthcoming $350 Billion Reconciliation Bill (Recon 3.0) — which, at the request of our Great Department of War — will include THE SAVE AMERICA ACT as well. No games, no delays, and no weak compromises! Do this ASAP.
This is a GENERATIONAL Investment in our Military, even bigger than President Reagan's! Recon 3.0 is the ONLY path to the full $1.5 TRILLION DOLLAR Military Budget our Warriors need in order to build THE ARSENAL OF FREEDOM.
We will defend the Homeland with the Golden Dome, launch the unstoppable Golden Fleet, dominate the skies with the F-47 and B-21, supercharge our ammunition stockpiles, and achieve total Space Force and Drone Dominance!
This Budget reignites American Industry, creates hundreds of thousands of high-paying American Jobs, and secures our Global Dominance without fueling Inflation.
Also, with THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, it will protect our Elections for Generations to come. Our Warriors protect our most Sacred Rights, and Voting is at the top. Time to defend that Right for every American!
Pass ALL $350 BILLION and THE SAVE AMERICA ACT to secure the NATION for our children and grandchildren.
THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!
1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PHOTO I.D. (IDENTIFICATION!).
2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP.
3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!).
4. NO MEN IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.
5. NO TRANSGENDER MUTILIZATION SURGERY FOR OUR CHILDREN.
Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP."