Florida Republican Representative Byron Donalds publicly rebuked the United States Senate for its ongoing failure to debate and vote on the “SAVE America Act,” a bill backed by Donald Trump that would mandate photo voter identification across the nation before the upcoming midterm elections.
Speaking to reporters and colleagues, Donalds did not hold back his frustration with the upper chamber’s leadership and procedural habits. “Man, the Senate sucks,” Donalds said. “I’m just going to come out and say it: They suck.”
The Florida congressman argued that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act carries broad public support, asserting that 80 percent of the American people favor the measure, regardless of political affiliation. He stated that the Senate remains the only legislative body blocking its progress.
“This is not hard,” Donalds stated. “Eighty percent of the American people want the SAVE Act to pass. Not 80% of Republicans — 80% of the American people. And the only organization that refuses to act is the United States Senate.”
Donalds described the legislation as a common-sense measure designed to protect the integrity of American elections. He argued that lawmakers have a fundamental responsibility to secure the voting process and ensure that only American citizens participate in federal elections.
In his remarks, Donalds directed his criticism at lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. He accused Senate Democrats of obstructing the voter ID requirement to protect their political position, while simultaneously targeting Senate Republicans for using procedural maneuvers to avoid an open, public debate on the Senate floor.
“What, the Senate Democrats don’t want to have voter ID in America? Why? Because they want to maintain their power,” Donalds said. He added that Senate Republicans “don’t want to do the right thing and actually have a true filibuster on the floor and debate the matter on the floor because it would take them away from their precious meetings that they have to conduct.”
To illustrate his point, Donalds pointed to an event in Chicago where former President Barack Obama opened his presidential library. He noted that attendees were required to present a photo ID to gain access to the venue. Donalds questioned why the same security standard is not universally applied to federal elections. “So if you’re going to show up for President Obama’s library, you’ve got to present a photo ID to gain access to that event,” Donalds said. “But to vote in our elections, you don’t have to do that. That makes no sense. It’s crazy, and it’s stupid.”
The congressman challenged high-profile Senate Democrats, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, to defend their opposition to voter ID mandates in an open floor debate rather than behind closed doors. Donalds noted that unlike the federal government, no individual state legislature uses a filibuster rule to delay up-or-down votes on legislation.
In addition to election security, Donalds highlighted stalled border security legislation, specifically referencing a bill sponsored by Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) aimed at codifying Trump-era border policies. According to Donalds, the legislation would pass easily in the House but faces an immediate block by Senate Democrats who “want open borders.”
Donalds expressed a growing exhaustion among House members who spend time crafting, negotiating, and passing legislative packages, only to see them stall without consideration in the Senate.
“I’ve got to tell you, House members, we’re sick of it,” Donalds said. “We do a lot of work on this side of the Capitol going through these packages… We send it over to the Senate, and what do they do? They go to lunch. They don’t work. They don’t debate. They go to lunch.”
Donalds concluded by stating that some House colleagues are prepared to halt normal legislative business until the Senate addresses these pending measures, signaling that the next move remains entirely up to Senate leadership.
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