Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) fired back at White House after press secretary Karoline Leavitt briefed reporters that President Donald Trump‘s patience is “running out” over the Senate’s inability to move the Save America Act.
Thune was asked by reporters at the Capitol on Thursday about Leavitt’s comments.
“She or somebody else ought to get on the phone and get the votes, right,” Thune told reporters. “So instead of pointing the finger at Republicans, they might think about going after the people who are stopping it on the floor, which is the Democrats. And if there are Republicans that they think are gettable, get on the phone. Let’s get them to yes.”
During Thursday’s White House press briefing, Leavitt was asked whether Trump’s “patience” with Thune was “running out” over the Senate’s inability to pass the Save America Act.
“His patience is running out,” Leavitt told reporters. “He wants to see as much of the SAVE America [Act] passed as possible by the August recess,” He knows that’s what the American people want to see passed.”
Senate allies were quick to jump to Thune’s defense in response to the comments. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who is retiring this year, told reporters that he had “1,000 percent confidence in Thune.”
“Anybody in the White House who thinks he’s not a good leader isn’t qualified for their job,” the senator said.
The Save America Act, which would require ID to cast a ballot and proof of citizenship to register to vote, has stalled in the Senate because of the 60-vote filibuster threshold. Thune has repeatedly said there are not enough Democratic votes to overcome the filibuster in the chamber, where Republicans only hold 53 seats. Similarly, the majority leader has argued that there is insufficient support among Republicans to gut the filibuster.
WHITE HOUSE SAYS TRUMP’S PATIENCE WITH THUNE ‘RUNNING OUT’ OVER SAVE AMERICA ACT
The explanation has not mollified Trump, however. During a campaign rally in Georgia on Wednesday, Trump implored the crowd to call Thune and put pressure on him and other senators to pass the SAVE America Act.
“The American people elected overwhelmingly Republicans to lead not just this White House, but also the House and the Senate,” Leavitt said to reporters Thursday. “The House did its job. The Senate needs to do its job, too.”
Ramsey Touchberry contributed to this story.