Several Senate conservatives are demanding that Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., cancel the chamber's August recess so members can debate the SAVE America Act, the sweeping election reform bill that President Donald Trump has made his top legislative priority.
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is leading the push, warning that he would oppose any effort to send senators home for the traditional five-week August break until the Senate votes on the legislation.
"@LeaderJohnThune, I hereby object to any effort to put the Senate into recess in August—at least until such time as the Senate has passed the SAVE America Act—and hereby request a roll call vote,” Lee posted Sunday on X.
"Do not assume you have my consent. You do not."
Lee has found support from several fellow conservatives, who argue Congress should remain in session until the election security bill reaches the Senate floor.
"I stand with @basedmikelee. I will vote to stay in session unless we have passed the SAVE America Act," Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., wrote on X. "The American people expect us to deliver. They deserve secure elections."
Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., who is on the ballot this fall, said she would rather stay in Washington than return home to campaign if it means advancing the legislation.
"I'm serving because there are things we need to get done for the American People," Moody posted on X. "The Senate needs to stay in session until we can get the SAVE America Act to the floor and passed."
Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., echoed that message, saying he has heard widespread support for the bill from constituents.
"We don't need a recess. Let's pass the SAVE America Act," Banks said during a weekend TV interview. "It's more important than taking a break, taking a recess."
The legislation would require documented proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, mandate photo identification for voting, and tighten rules governing mail-in ballots.
House Republicans have approved versions of the measure, but it has repeatedly stalled in the Senate, where Democrats have unanimously opposed it.
Senate Democrat Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has labeled the proposal "Jim Crow 2.0," while Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has argued implementing the changes before the midterm elections would create unnecessary disruption, The Hill reported.
Tillis, a Trump opponent, has declared the bill "dead" unless supporters can secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
Trump intensified pressure on Senate Republicans over the weekend, urging them to abolish the legislative filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act along with other priorities.
"The all Republican Senators! Terminate the Filibuster, which the Dumocrats will do as soon as they get the chance, and PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, and everything else, including the Budget, and upcoming Debt Ceiling. Do it now, before it is too late!!! President DJT," Trump wrote Saturday night on Truth Social.
The president's renewed demand comes after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt warned that Trump's "patience is running out" over the Senate's failure to move the bill, fueling tensions with Thune.
Thune has pushed back, noting Republicans lack the votes to eliminate the filibuster and arguing Democrats, not Republicans, are blocking the election reform measure.
He has suggested the White House should focus its pressure on lawmakers refusing to support the legislation rather than Senate GOP leadership.