Republican candidates running in some of the most competitive Senate races in 2026 are increasingly weighing in on a growing fight inside the GOP over whether to force Democrats into a “talking filibuster” to advance election legislation backed by President Donald Trump.
The dispute centers on the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed voting bill that would require ID to cast a ballot and proof-of-citizenship to register to vote. The measure cleared the House last month but faces long odds in the Senate, where Republicans lack the votes needed to overcome the chamber’s 60-vote legislative filibuster, allowing Democrats to block the bill.
The standoff is expected to come to a head next week when Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) moves to bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor.
Trump has made passage of the legislation his “No. 1 priority” ahead of the midterm elections and has encouraged Senate Republicans to force Democrats into a talking filibuster. Under that approach, senators trying to block the bill would be required to continuously hold the floor and debate the measure to keep it from advancing. The modern filibuster allows senators to stop legislation without sustained floor speeches, meaning bills can stall without extended debate.
THE ‘TALKING FILIBUSTER,’ EXPLAINED
Thune has resisted the push, warning the tactic could tie up the Senate floor for weeks and allow Democrats to force politically difficult votes for Republicans.
Instead, Senate Republicans are considering a marathon floor debate meant to mimic elements of a talking filibuster without formally changing Senate rules, according to people familiar with the discussions. The approach would extend debate on the bill as GOP leaders try to ease pressure from the party’s MAGA wing for a more aggressive procedural fight.
Even with that approach, Thune has acknowledged the votes are not currently there for a full talking filibuster.
“We’d have to have 50 [Republicans] to defeat every amendment,” Thune told reporters this week. “And that’s not where we are right now.”
The fight is already spilling into several high-profile Senate races, where Republican candidates are being pressed to say whether they would support forcing Democrats into a talking filibuster or taking even more aggressive steps to pass the legislation.
Below is where candidates in several competitive races stand.
Texas
Primary runoff: May 26, 2026
Trump endorsement: Not yet issued
The debate is playing out most directly in Texas, where Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) faces Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a closely watched Republican primary runoff. Both candidates have signaled support for procedural steps to pass the SAVE America Act.
Trump has aligned himself with calls for a talking filibuster and is dangling a possible endorsement of Cornyn in the race, signaling it could hinge on whether Senate Republicans move forward with the tactic.
Cornyn said he is open to procedural changes that could help advance the bill, including a talking filibuster.
“After careful consideration, I support whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary for us to get the SAVE America Act and homeland security funding past the Democrats’ obstruction, through the Senate, and on the president’s desk for his signature,” Cornyn wrote in a New York Post op-ed.
“This could be a ‘talking filibuster’ that removes the obstructionists’ free pass and makes them defend their indefensible views on the Senate floor, or it could be a different reform,” he said.
Paxton has also signaled support for aggressive steps to pass the bill and criticized Cornyn’s past stance on the filibuster. “John Cornyn is a coward who has refused to support abolishing the filibuster to pass this bill,” Paxton wrote on X, adding that he is determined to help Trump advance his agenda.
New Hampshire
Primary: Sept. 8, 2026
Trump endorsement: John Sununu
Former New Hampshire Gov. John Sununu, who has been endorsed by Trump, supports the SAVE Act but did not specify whether he backs a talking filibuster.
“The SAVE Act is an important piece of legislation that Chris Pappas voted against repeatedly because he votes in lockstep with liberal leadership,” campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “John Sununu supports the SAVE Act and will do what’s right for New Hampshire every single time.”
Former Sen. Scott Brown has expressed support for the SAVE Act and the broader push from Republicans to force action in the Senate using a talking filibuster.
“The SAVE Act is a common-sense measure to ensure only American citizens decide American elections,” Brown said.
Michigan
Trump endorsement: Mike Rogers
Republican candidate Mike Rogers, who has been endorsed by Trump, said he would support forcing Democrats into a talking filibuster if that is what it takes to pass the bill.
“Only American citizens should vote; it’s common sense,” Rogers said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “So, if it takes a talking filibuster to pass it, than that’s what it takes.”
Iowa
Trump endorsement: Ashley Hinson
Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA), who has been endorsed by Trump, supports the SAVE Act and its Senate counterpart but did not specify whether she would support a talking filibuster.
A campaign spokeswoman said Hinson voted for the SAVE Act in the House and is a cosponsor of both the SAVE Act and the SAVE America Act.
Alabama
Trump endorsement: Barry Moore
Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), who has been endorsed by Trump, said he would support participating in a talking filibuster to pass the bill.
“If it takes participating in a talking filibuster to get this done, I would gladly join,” Moore said.
Minnesota
Primary: Aug. 11, 2026
Trump endorsement: Not yet issued
Republican candidate Michele Tafoya, a former NFL sportscaster widely viewed as the early front-runner in the GOP primary, voiced support for the SAVE Act but did not specify a position on the talking filibuster.
“It should be easy to vote and hard to cheat,” Tafoya said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “We have to show photo ID to drive a car, board an airplane or open a bank account. There is no excuse for not protecting our democracy with voter ID and paper ballots.”
Kentucky
Primary: May 19, 2026
Trump endorsement: Not yet issued
Several candidates in the competitive Kentucky Republican primary have called for using aggressive Senate tactics to pass the SAVE America Act.
Businessman Nate Morris has repeatedly called for replacing what he calls the “zombie filibuster” with a talking filibuster.
“Dems are kicking and screaming about the Save America Act because they need illegals voting to win elections,” Morris wrote on X. “RINOs are kicking and screaming about the Save America Act because they’re too weak to end the zombie filibuster. It’s time for Republicans to get tough and pass it.”
Morris has also said the Senate should restore the talking filibuster in order to pass the bill.
Daniel Cameron, the former attorney general of Kentucky, said he supports passing the legislation “by any means necessary.”
Rep. Andy Barr (R-KY) voted for the SAVE Act in the House, according to his campaign, though a spokesman said it would be unfair to assume Barr’s position on Senate procedure since he does not currently serve in that chamber.
Georgia
Primary: May 19, 2026
Trump endorsement: Not yet issued
Rep. Mike Collins supports the tactic, according to his campaign.
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA) has gone further, calling for the end of the current filibuster rules.
“The Schumer Shutdown has no end in sight,” Carter wrote on X. “I stand with President Trump. TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER.”
Former University of Tennessee football coach Derek Dooley supports passing the SAVE America Act but did not specify whether he backs a talking filibuster.
“An overwhelming majority of Americans support the SAVE America Act because it’s common-sense legislation that requires voter I.D. and ensures only American citizens vote in our elections,” a campaign spokesman said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “Derek believes it is time for D.C. politicians to do their job for once and pass this bill.”
North Carolina
Trump endorsement: Michael Whatley
Republican candidate Michael Whatley, who has been endorsed by Trump, called for ending what he described as Democrats’ abuse of the filibuster to pass the bill.
“It is time for the Senate to end the Democrats’ abuse of the filibuster and pass the SAVE America Act!” Whatley wrote on X.
Louisiana
Primary: May 16, 2026 | Runoff: June 27 if needed
Trump endorsement: Julia Letlow
Rep. Julia Letlow (R-LA), who has been endorsed by Trump, has urged the Senate to enforce a talking filibuster requirement if necessary to advance the bill.
“If Democrats want to obstruct this bill, they should have to stand on the floor and explain to the American people why they oppose proof of citizenship for voting,” Letlow said.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the incumbent, said he supports both the legislation and returning to a talking filibuster.
THUNE PLANS MOCK ‘TALKING FILIBUSTER’ TO CALM SAVE AMERICA ACT UPROAR
“I have supported returning to the talking filibuster since I joined the Senate,” Cassidy said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner.
Former Rep. John Fleming did not respond to a request for comment.
