In a move that’s sure to rattle the usual “play it safe” crowd in Washington, Republican Senators Rick Scott and Ron Johnson are calling for something bold: scrap the filibuster if that’s what it takes to pass the SAVE America Act.
Yes, that filibuster—the sacred 60-vote threshold that’s often treated like the Senate’s version of the Constitution itself. But according to these senators, enough is enough.
Johnson didn’t hold back, arguing that the Senate is already so dysfunctional that it’s time Republicans “wake up” and act before Democrats inevitably do the same. His message? Stop pretending the current system is working and start playing to win.
The SAVE America Act, for those keeping score, would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and photo ID to vote. Democrats, however, have dug in hard against it, claiming the bill would disenfranchise millions. Because apparently, showing ID to vote is an impossible task—despite Americans needing ID for, well… just about everything else.
And then, in a moment that feels straight out of a political parody, 1980s pop star Cyndi Lauper jumped into the debate, warning that the bill is about “voter suppression.” Right—because nothing says serious policy discussion like celebrity Instagram takes from decades past.
Republicans aren’t buying it. In fact, they argue that Democrats refused to even support a stripped-down version of the bill focused solely on voter ID—despite frequently claiming they support such measures. That contradiction hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Scott and Johnson see this as an “80-20 issue,” pointing to broad public support for basic election integrity measures. Their stance is simple: if safeguarding elections requires blowing up the so-called “silent filibuster,” then so be it.
There is, however, another option on the table—the “talking filibuster.” Scott has suggested forcing Democrats to physically hold the floor and defend their position in real time, old-school style. The idea being that eventually, enough pressure builds to secure the votes needed to move forward.
But not everyone in the GOP is on board. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and others remain skeptical, warning that such tactics could stall Senate business without guaranteeing results. In other words, even within the party, there’s hesitation about going all-in.
Still, the broader message from Scott and Johnson is clear: this is a moment for decisive action, not cautious half-measures.
Because at the end of the day, if Republicans truly believe election integrity is on the line, then playing defense isn’t going to cut it. And as history keeps showing, the side willing to act boldly is usually the one that sets the rules of the game.
And right now, the call from some corners of the GOP is simple—stop waiting, start leading, and get it done.
