Exclusive | John Thune tells The Post about potential breakthrough on SAVE America Act — led by Lindsey Graham
Thune described a possible reconciliation approach while cautioning that Republicans face vote and procedural hurdles.

SOURCE CHECK
TAP FOR WHYThe New York Post is an established national outlet, and this report identifies its reporters and includes direct interview quotations. The short article offers limited independent scrutiny of the proposed reconciliation strategy.
- Source type — Established national news publisher.
- Author attribution — Two reporters are named.
- Editorial standards — The article attributes claims and includes direct quotations, though its account is brief.
- Transparency — The central interview is identified, but the report gives limited detail about its reporting process.
The article provides direct quotations from Thune and attributes the claim about Graham's conversation to Trump. It explains the procedural obstacle and a possible approach, but gives little analysis from opposing lawmakers or independent experts about whether the strategy would work.
HOW WE SCORE ↗The report includes Thune's explanation and notes that reconciliation faces procedural questions and skepticism from Republican deficit hawks. It does not include a Democratic response or an independent assessment of the proposed route.
- Counterarguments presented — Notes the Democratic filibuster and Republican skepticism, but does not quote critics of the measure.
- Source diversity — The central account comes from Thune, with Trump's claim also reported.
- Omitted context — Provides limited outside analysis of reconciliation's applicability to the proposal.
- Loaded language — No notable loaded framing in the article's reporting.
The report uses largely neutral language and attributes the Republican proposal and its uncertainties to Thune and Trump. Its focus on Republican strategy does not, by itself, establish a partisan lean.
- Language tone — Mostly descriptive language without sustained praise or condemnation.
- Framing — Explains the possible strategy and its procedural obstacles.
- Source selection — Relies mainly on Thune's interview and Trump's account of Graham's statement.
John Thune said Republicans may be able to advance the SAVE America Act through budget reconciliation, possibly using financial incentives for states to adopt voter ID. He said the approach remains uncertain and Republicans do not have the votes to overcome a filibuster.
Thune told The Post he did not know for certain what Lindsey Graham had discussed with President Trump, but suggested Graham may have raised using reconciliation to advance the SAVE America Act. Trump had claimed Graham told him Republicans were “all set” on the measure. Thune said Republicans lacked the votes to eliminate the filibuster and that he did not expect Democrats to support the bill.
Thune described reconciliation as requiring a measure to be principally budgetary, while acknowledging some subjectivity in applying that standard. He said financial incentives for states to implement voter ID had been discussed as a possible approach. The article also reports that the House Budget Committee had introduced a budget resolution with grants for elements of the measure, while noting skepticism among Republican deficit hawks.
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SWIPE →Senate Majority Leader discussing a possible reconciliation strategy for the SAVE America Act
President who recounted Graham's reported comments
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