NC lawmakers react to Trump’s SAVE AMERICA ultimatum that left the Senate in chaos
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Senators left earlier than planned to begin a July 4 recess through July 13.
- Trump canceled the housing-bill signing pending passage of the SAVE AMERICA Act.
- Tillis said the SAVE AMERICA Act lacks votes and can't be implemented by November.
Good morning! It’s Danielle Battaglia with the latest edition of Under the Dome focused on the Trump administration.
A year ago today, Sen. Thom Tillis announced he would cede his reelection campaign for a third-term as he and President Donald Trump publicly feuded over the impact Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act would have on North Carolina’s Medicaid recipients.
And this week in the Senate proved just as a chaotic.
In fact, senators threw up their hands, packed their bags and left for their homes earlier than anticipated to begin their July 4 recess that lasts through July 13.
The week started with a major win for Republicans.
Both the House and Senate passed an affordable housing bill with bipartisan support. The legislation would make it both cheaper and easier to build homes.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the bill “one of the most significant pieces of housing affordability legislation in American history.”
Republicans planned to campaign off the bills’ passage.
But on Wednesday, as Trump was expected to arrive at the U.S. Capitol to sign the housing bill, he canceled.
“Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency,” Trump posted on social media.
The SAVE AMERICA Act requires people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote and then show identification when casting a ballot.
A previous Under the Dome covered why this bill doesn’t have enough support to pass.
Tillis told CBS News this week that the Senate has “a math problem.”
“We simply don’t have the votes, and the SAVE America Act won’t be implemented in time for this election,” Tillis said.
Tillis added that it isn’t rational to believe that something as expansive as the SAVE AMERICA Act could be implemented in time for the November election without being disruptive to that election. He added that it’s an unfunded mandate.
“I would ask anybody who actually understands how to pass laws, implement them and have them in place at the level they need to be to ensure the integrity of elections, how absurd it could be to be done by November,” Tillis told CBS News.
Just moments after Trump’s announcement Wednesday, Rep. Greg Murphy sat down with streaming network, 535, for an interview about healthcare and trade, and addressed Trump’s decision.
Murphy told 535 he supports the SAVE AMERICA Act to ensure that the country’s elections aren’t diluted by unauthorized voters.
“That said, I think we can also walk and chew gum at the same time,” Murphy said. “This is the President’s strategy today, and we’ll see how long it carries forward. We have things that are pressing for the country — really needs — things that need to be done. We also need to make sure our elections are safe and secure.”
In response to all of this, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, brought together a group of lawmakers to block bills from reaching the House floor until the Senate passes the SAVE AMERICA Act. This move essentially paralyzed the House this week leading House Speaker Mike Johnson to send lawmakers home early.
Johnson met with Trump Thursday afternoon trying to broker peace. He also sent the housing bill to the White House for Trump’s signature, which starts a 10-day clock for it either to automatically become law with or without his signature, or force the president’s veto.
In other news, the 250th anniversary of the United States will take place Friday. There are many events planned around the country to celebrate, including right here in North Carolina. An event list can be found here.
Other stories you won’t want to miss:
- Top NC GOP budget writer from Helene-ravaged area says more funding is on the way
- NC’s Sen. Budd to block Trump’s funding requests until Helene relief is included
- Two NC lawmakers, a Democrat and a Republican, push Congress to delay SNAP changes
- Federal judge says Raleigh resident’s deportation ‘boggles the mind,’ orders return
- NC GOP bans sex offenders from holding party office in new committee report
- Lumbee tribe votes ‘No’ on gaming, nixing plans for casino on I-95 in NC
- Sen. Warren implies NC’s Tillis is chicken, makes ‘bok bok’ sounds at him at hearing
- Court order advances James Comey case. Could it reveal prosecutors’ evidence?
- NC rep pushed costly plan for liquor warehouse that favors developer, ABC official says
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading and supporting local journalism. Be kind to each other.
If you have any feedback or tips for this edition of the newsletter, feel free to reach out to me directly at dbattaglia@mcclatchydc.com.
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This story was originally published June 29, 2026 at 6:30 AM with the headline "NC lawmakers react to Trump’s SAVE AMERICA ultimatum that left the Senate in chaos."
