Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., accused Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., of avoiding a politically difficult vote on the SAVE America Act, telling Newsmax on Thursday that she believes he is using the Senate filibuster as cover rather than advancing the GOP-backed election reform measure.
"I really think that John Thune is hiding behind the filibuster because he doesn't want to put, and this is what I've heard directly, he doesn't want to put his members in a tough position right before the midterms with a tough vote," Luna said on "Finnerty."
Luna argued the Senate's reluctance to move the legislation shows it is disconnected from voters.
"That should just go to show how out of touch the Senate is, because voter ID is literally a 90-10 issue," she said. "And I don't really think that the Senate, aside from a few, really represents what the interests of the American people are."
The House has passed the SAVE America Act, which would require identification to cast a ballot and documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. The bill has stalled in the Senate, where Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly urged the Senate to pass the legislation and has called on Republicans to eliminate the legislative filibuster to do so. Thune has defended keeping the rule in place, saying Republicans could benefit from it when they are in the minority.
Luna also weighed in on Kentucky Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell's prolonged absence after he was hospitalized June 14.
"It's a problem," she said.
Luna said that while she wishes McConnell well, she believes he should step aside. McConnell, 84, is not seeking reelection this year and will retire when his term expires in January.
"God bless Mitch McConnell. And I hope that he heals, but he should not be in Congress," she said. "It's a position where he ultimately is putting himself and his ego before that of the American people, and he shouldn't be there. He's sick."
Luna said lengthy absences by lawmakers with health problems are not unusual on Capitol Hill.
"I think it's more or less the institution protecting themselves, and it's not an uncommon thing here for members to have health issues and then just ghost for a while," she said.
She also argued Congress needs younger members because of the demands of the job.
"Republicans need to start running younger candidates because ultimately this job is taxing," Luna said. "You're supposed to be here to kind of serve the people. And if you're not showing up for all this time because you're literally in treatment, that's not good."
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