Lankford Says Senate GOP Will Keep Going If Priorities Not Met Before Recess
Provpnadvice.com – Oklahoma Senator James Lankford announced that Republicans plan to extend their work session if they cannot advance three key legislative priorities before the August recess. The Senate was scheduled to break at the end of this week, but party leaders want to ensure critical measures pass first. Voter identification reform remains a top concern for Republican lawmakers seeking to address election integrity concerns.
Three Critical Goals for the Week
Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Lankford outlined the Senate Republican Conference’s main objectives. The first priority involves passing a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30. The second goal centers on confirming over 70 judicial nominees nominated by President Trump. The third objective focuses on advancing a $95 billion reconciliation bill that includes the SAVE America Act, formally called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility legislation.
Lankford acknowledged the ambitious timeline ahead. “It’s a lot this week,” he told Fox News anchor Shannon Bream. “If we don’t get it done this week, we’ll keep going until we do get it done.”
SAVE America Act Encounters Hurdles
President Trump has strongly supported the SAVE America Act, though his enthusiasm has sometimes clashed with Senate Majority Leader John Thune. The South Dakota senator has noted that Republicans currently lack the 60 votes needed to break the filibuster and pass the voter ID bill without Democratic support. This constraint has slowed momentum for the legislation.
Several Republican senators have discussed potentially canceling the August recess, which was set to start Friday evening and run through September 14. Extending the session would allow more time to vote on these priority items before lawmakers return home.
Balancing Recess and Legislative Work
Lankford recognized that the break matters for senators preparing for reelection campaigns. Still, he stressed that finishing important business comes first. “There’s not a plan to leave when it’s unfinished,” the Oklahoma Republican stated. “All those three things, they’ll happen this week, or we’ll keep going to be able to get them done.”
He also noted that the reconciliation package faces additional steps beyond its House passage. The bill covers Pentagon spending related to Iran and provides farmer assistance. While it cleared one major hurdle in the House, Lankford explained that the process requires “several weeks” of work in Congress.
“You’ve got to get the first step done. Once the first step is done, then it takes several weeks to write it and then to be able to actually take the second step,” he remarked.
What to Expect in August
When asked if the Senate might stay in Washington most of August, Lankford offered a cautious response. “We’ll see,” he said, indicating flexibility based on how quickly legislation moves forward.
Ultimately, Lankford emphasized that the Senate will follow its original recess schedule only if the three priorities are completed. “If we can get all of our work done at this point, then yes,” he affirmed, signaling that the GOP will not rush home without finishing its agenda.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Senate recess begin?
The Senate was originally scheduled to begin its recess at the end of the workday on Friday, with the break continuing through September 14.
What are the three legislative priorities?
The Senate GOP wants to pass a continuing resolution for government funding, confirm over 70 judicial nominees, and advance a $95 billion reconciliation package including the SAVE America Act.
Why is the SAVE America Act important?
The SAVE America Act, or Safeguard American Voter Eligibility legislation, aims to strengthen voter identification requirements. President Trump has championed the bill, though it faces a filibuster challenge in the Senate.
Will the Senate stay in Washington longer?
Lankford says the Senate will keep going if it cannot pass the three priorities before the scheduled recess. The decision depends on legislative progress during the current week.
