Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told Newsmax on Thursday that the Senate has procedural options to bypass the filibuster and pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act.

The legislation, which Roy introduced in the House, would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

"The Senate is hiding behind its 60-vote threshold. They have enough votes with [Vice President] JD Vance to pass that bill," Roy said on "Finnerty."

"The Senate is hiding behind this 60-vote threshold because they say, 'We're the Senate. We have to preserve the filibuster.'"

Roy, who previously served as chief of staff to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said the upper chamber could force a talking filibuster.

"They left last night for two and a half weeks. The Senate doesn't want to have to do the hard work it takes, because what it would require is being on the floor, having a quorum, demanding that they call up the vote of 51," he said.

"And then when Democrats took the floor and talked and filibustered, let them filibuster, go take a meeting, come back when they don't have some Democrats speaking, call the question. You have to do that for like two months."

Roy said this is how senators overcame filibusters to pass the Civil Rights Act in the 1960s.

"They forced the issue, and now half the Senate buildings are named after these guys," he said.

Roy said today's Senate is putting the Senate first rather than America first.

"And that's the problem. And we believe that when Democrats one day tragically get control of the White House, House and Senate again, that they will nuke the filibuster and they will pack the court and they'll make [Washington] D.C. a state," he said.

"We can preserve the filibuster and deliver the SAVE America Act if John Thune will just put it on the floor. Don't leave for July Fourth," Roy continued.

"You have 50 votes. Put that on the floor. There's no excuse for it. Force it through the Senate."

GET TODAY NEWSMAX+:

NEWSMAX is the fastest-growing cable news channel in America with more than 30 million people watching!

Reuters Institute reports NEWSMAX is one of the top news brands in the U.S.

You need to watch NEWSMAX today.

Get it with great shows from Rob Schmitt, Greta Van Susteren, Greg Kelly, Carl Higbie, Rob Finnerty – and many more!

Find the NEWSMAX channel on your cable system – Go Here Now

BEST OFFER:

Sign up for NEWSMAX+ and get NEWSMAX, our streaming channel NEWSMAX2 and our military channel World at War.

Find hundreds of shows, movies and specials.

Even get Jon Voight's special series and President Trump's comedy programs and much more!

Watch NEWSMAX+ on your smartphone or home TV app.

Watch NEWSMAX anytime, anywhere!

Start your FREE trial now: NewsmaxPlus.com