Senate Republicans have given in to President Donald Trump’s demands to add a slate of anti-trans amendments to a bill that would upend federal elections if passed.
Since early March, Trump has said that he would not sign any bills until the SAVE America Act — a sweeping bill that would require people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, show photo ID at the polls and gut mail-in voting — was passed with language that would bar transgender women from sports and restrict access to gender-affirming care for minors.
Republicans conceded late Tuesday evening, adding several amendments that target trans rights.
The bill has little chance of actually becoming law. Democrats are unified in their opposition to it, and even many Republicans are skeptical. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) has called it “a waste of time,” and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has acknowledged that the bill does not have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.
Voting rights and LGBTQ+ advocates said the addition of the anti-trans provisions are concerning nonetheless.
