Senate GOP Swing Vote Comes Out In Support Of SAVE Act
Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins spoke Friday in favor of the House-passed SAVE America Act, while drawing a red line on preserving the upper chamber’s filibuster.
Collins said the bill’s changed language requiring photo ID in elections rather than proof of citizenship was “key” to gaining his support, according to The Maine Wire. She also said the filibuster was necessary and added that eliminating it would allow a Democratic-led Congress to “pass provisions on whatever they want.” (RELATED: Only One Democrat Votes for Trump-Backed Election Integrity Bill)
“The law is clear: In this country, only American citizens have the right to vote in federal elections,” she told the outlet. “Additionally, requiring people to provide identification at the polling place, as they must do before boarding a plane, checking into a hotel or purchasing an alcoholic beverage, is a simple reform that will improve the security of our federal elections and help give citizens more confidence in the results. »
Collins declined Wednesday to tell the Daily Caller News Foundation how she would vote. The bill passed the House later in the day, 218-213, gaining the support of just one Democrat, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar.
Collins said she was concerned about language requiring people to show proof of citizenship every time they vote rather than just when registering.
-Andi Shae Napier (@AndiNapier) February 10, 2026
Collins, a moderate Republican who frequently splits with her party, has geared her support for the bill to protecting the Senate’s rules imposing a 60-vote threshold. Some Republicans, like Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, say their Democratic colleagues will abolish the filibuster when they come to power.
However, Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee — the bill’s Senate sponsor — and other lawmakers are pushing to use the Senate’s current filibuster rule that requires senators to speak to delay a bill, but there is no set clock. Senate rules do not impose deadlines on speeches, and the procedural tactic could easily last for days as senators take time on the floor to debate each amendment and motion in the bill.
The bill still faces challenges among Republicans, with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski saying she would not vote for the bill.
Collins faces a primary election this fall against incumbent Democratic Pine Tree State Gov. Janet Mills and controversial Democrat Graham Platner.
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