The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 11, 2026
At 4:36 AM August 8th, before legislators were released for the summer recess, the U.S. Senate voted on a subset of the SAVE America Act. This version required narrow types of photo ID but no proof of citizenship. It still failed.
The Hill reports that an agreement among GOP leadership and the White House led to the stripped-down version, as an amendment to, ironically, the Help America Vote Act. Accepted photo IDs included a valid driver’s license, state-issued identification card, a U.S. passport, military identification, or Tribal ID. It still failed to reach the 60-vote threshold, 52-46.
So while the SAVE America Act remains stalled for the moment, the agreement allowing Senators to head home included a proposal to include the SAVE Act in the fall’s must-pass budget reconciliation process, which could bypass the filibuster The Senate’s parliamentarian has so far not allowed non-budget bills like the SAVE Act to be attached.
A champion of the SAVE America Act, Senator Mike Lee of Utah, told reporters after the most recent vote, “We’re not done. We’re just getting started.”
We’ve linked to the voter-ID-only Senate Bill 5271, and a report on the SAVE America Act by the Bipartisan Policy Center, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl. Find us on Facebook and Bluesky @democracyminute.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The Hill – Thune, Trump, Senate conservatives reach deal to set aside budget, SAVE America Act impasse
The Daily Signal – Late-Night Senate Session Ends With SAVE America Defeat
U.S. Senate – Roll Call Vote 119th Congress – 2nd Session – S 5271
U.S. Congress – Text of S 5271
Bipartisan Policy Center – Six Things to Know About the SAVE America Act
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – U.S. House Passes the SAVE America Act and Will Combine It With a Defense Appropriations Bill to Make it Harder to Vote Down in the Senate
American Democracy Minute – President Trump Ties Ending the Partial Government Shutdown to Passage of the SAVE America Act. The Draconian Voting Bill Still Doesn’t Have the Votes.
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause, Campaign Legal Center, League of Women Voters
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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