Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, urged the Senate on Wednesday to quickly pass the SAVE America Act, arguing lawmakers should not allow procedural hurdles to delay what he called one of the nation's most popular pieces of legislation.
Appearing on Newsmax TV's "The Big Take" with Ed Henry, Cloud criticized the Senate's reliance on longstanding procedural rules, including the 60-vote threshold often required to advance legislation.
"We need to get the SAVE America Act passed," Cloud said.
"It's the most popular bill in the country right now. It needs to be done," he said.
Cloud argued senators should not allow procedural traditions to stand in the way of advancing the measure.
"The Senate looking at past procedures, self-inflicted benchmarks of 60 votes, and the like is not the way to go," he said.
The Texas Republican also pushed back against arguments that the legislation would require extended debate before a vote.
"We see them every time it gets brought up. 'Well, it's going to take a lot of work. It might take a few weeks of debate,'" Cloud said.
Instead, he urged senators to move the legislation forward without prolonged delays.
Cloud compared the Senate's responsibility to act with the sacrifices made by members of the U.S. military, recalling his travels through Arlington National Cemetery during the Independence Day holiday weekend.
"I was in the area for the July 4th weekend, and every day my family passed Arlington Cemetery," he said. "And you see the price to pay to save our country."
He said lawmakers should demonstrate a similar commitment in carrying out their legislative responsibilities.
"The Senate certainly should be willing to do the same," Cloud said.
Supporters of the SAVE America Act have argued the legislation is needed to strengthen election security and safeguard the integrity of federal elections.
Opponents have raised concerns about some of its provisions and the potential impact on voter access, though Cloud did not address those criticisms during the interview.
The measure remains under consideration in the Senate, where supporters have sought to build enough backing to advance the legislation.
Senate rules generally require 60 votes to invoke cloture on most legislation, although lawmakers can sometimes pursue alternative procedural paths depending on the measure under consideration.
Cloud said the Senate should set aside procedural obstacles and move quickly to approve the bill, arguing the country cannot afford further delays.
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