Ricketts Urges Passage of SAVE Act, Wants ‘Talking Filibuster’
by John Gage
OMAHA – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts said he is in favor of a “talking filibuster” in order for Republicans to pass the SAVE Act in the Senate. His comments come as Democrats in the Senate have filibustered the measure, which would overhaul election laws nationwide.
“As governor, I championed commonsense voter ID laws. Only citizens should be voting in our elections,” Ricketts said in a statement on Twitter. “That’s why Nebraskans passed Voter ID 65-35 and why I am proud to cosponsor the SAVE Act. I support votes to get the package passed, including a talking filibuster.”
Earlier this week, President Trump threatened on Truth Social to not sign any more bills until the SAVE Act was passed. “It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else,” the president said.
The SAVE Act, which stands for Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, contains provisions to move voter registration standards nationwide, including requiring Americans to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill would also limit mail-in voting in future elections.
A spokesperson with Senator Deb Fischer’s office told The Plains Sentinel that Senate Republicans were working on a path forward for the SAVE Act.
“The Republican Conference is working towards a full understanding of what is involved here and how the process will work,” the spokesperson said. “What is certain is that we will put Democrats on the record against voter ID and continue working to make sure only American citizens vote in American elections.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has resisted attempts from the Trump administration to get Senate Republicans to eliminate the 60-vote filibuster threshold.
John Gage is the executive editor of The Plains Sentinel.
