- President Donald Trump said the late Sen. Lindsey Graham supported the SAVE America Act during their final call.
- Utah Sen. Mike Lee continues to push for the election security bill despite failing to secure 60 votes in the Senate.
- Lee told the Deseret News he does not understand his colleagues’ opposition and said he will “not give up on it.”
Utah Sen. Mike Lee continued the campaign to pass his SAVE America Act on Sunday after President Donald Trump revealed his final conversation with the late Lindsey Graham was focused on the election security bill.
Trump expressed grief at the sudden passing of his close ally Graham in an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” where the president described the content of what may have been the South Carolina senator’s last phone call.
“He called and he said, ‘We’re all set for the SAVE America Act’ — he was pushing the SAVE America Act like crazy,” Trump said. “He wanted to pass the SAVE America Act, and I said, ‘Well, we’re going to get it done, Lindsey.”
What is the SAVE America Act?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act would require voters in federal elections to provide proof of citizenship when registering and photo ID when voting to ensure that no non-citizens can participate.
While it passed the Republican-led House in February, the SAVE America Act has failed to secure a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, even after Lee forced an extended debate and Trump threatened not to sign new legislation.
The loss of Graham’s support is a “big blow” to the future of the election bill, Trump said Sunday. But that has not discouraged Lee from pushing it back into the spotlight, sharing Trump’s comments from “Meet the Press.”
Over the past few months, Lee has made it clear he is willing to do away with Senate norms to pass what Trump has called his top priority to ensure the integrity of voting ahead of the 2026 congressional midterm elections.
In April, Lee called for an end to the Senate filibuster, saying if his colleagues refused to require a physical filibuster to stop the passage of bills without a 60-vote majority, then it was time do “nuke the filibuster.”
Lee still pushing SAVE America Act
In an interview with the Deseret News, Lee made it clear that warnings from leadership about removing the procedural tool, and skepticism toward the bill among Democratic senators, would not sway his commitment.
“It still needs to pass,” Lee said. “I’m not gonna give up on it.”
“It has suffered from some real significant setbacks in recent weeks, for reasons I don’t understand. There are some, including many people who had pledged support for it, who now seem to want to do anything but that.”
Some have cited concerns about the bill making it harder for married women to vote if they do not have updated identification. Others claim it exceeds congressional authority by regulating how states administer elections.
Lee has dismissed both of these arguments, pointing to provisions that allow for alternative forms of proving citizenship. He also points to polls showing that proof-of-citizenship and photo-ID requirements are popular.
A March YouGov poll found nearly 60% of Americans approve requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote. A 2024 Gallup poll found nearly 85% of adults support requiring photo ID and proof of citizenship.
“So I think it’s unfortunate — I think it’s a missed opportunity,” Lee told the Deseret News. “And I hope my colleagues will reconsider, they should reconsider, and that’s why I’m not gonna stop talking about it.”
Mitt Romney comments on Graham
Conservative activists, including Turning Point Action COO Tyler Bowyer, responded to Lee’s post on Sunday by urging senators to pass the SAVE America Act to honor Graham, despite their prior disagreements with him.
As chair of the judiciary and budget committees, Graham interacted frequently with Lee and the rest of Utah’s Senate delegation. Lee said he would miss Graham’s “infectious laugh, quick wit, and enthusiasm for life.”
Sen. John Curtis called Graham — a strong advocate of U.S. military intervention — “one of the most influential leaders in Washington” and “among the strongest defenders of America and its values across the world.”
Former Sen. Mitt Romney said Graham’s “dedication to the cause of freedom inspired the oppressed and chastened the tyrants.” Graham died shortly after returning from a trip supporting Ukraine.
Following a presidential proclamation, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an order that U.S. and Utah flags be flown at half-staff on all state facilities until Saturday evening.