President Donald Trump said Saturday he is not yet ready to endorse a Republican candidate in the upcoming Texas Senate race, signaling that his decision may hinge in part on whether GOP lawmakers can deliver a major election reform bill he has been strongly promoting.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump said he is watching closely to see if Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and other Republicans succeed in advancing the SAVE America Act, legislation the president argues would help strengthen the integrity of federal elections.
“A lot has to do with the SAVE America Act,” Trump said. “A lot is going to determine — Republicans have to get that passed, because that will secure voting in this country.”
The proposed measure would require identification to vote in federal elections, a policy that has long been popular among many Republican voters and increasingly shows support among the broader public.
Trump has been urging lawmakers in Washington to push the bill forward in recent weeks, framing it as a key step toward ensuring confidence in the country’s voting system.
The outcome could also play a role in the developing political battle in Texas, where Cornyn faces a challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The two Republicans are set to meet in a May 26 runoff, creating a high-profile test of influence within the party.
Trump said he is still weighing whether to step into the race with a formal endorsement.
“I’ll let you know that over the next week or so,” the president said when asked about backing Cornyn. “I like him. I always liked him.”
Cornyn appears to be making moves that could strengthen his standing with the president. Last week, the senator announced a shift in his position on the Senate filibuster rule, a procedural hurdle that requires 60 votes to end debate on most legislation.
For years, Cornyn had argued that the rule served an important purpose in preserving the Senate’s traditions and preventing rapid swings in policy. But he recently said the political environment has changed and suggested the filibuster is now being used to block legislation he believes the public broadly supports.
Cornyn is a cosponsor of the SAVE Act and said Democrats are now “weaponizing” the filibuster to prevent its passage.
“When the reality on the ground changes, leaders must take stock and adapt,” Cornyn wrote in an op-ed published in the New York Post.
His commentary appeared the same morning Trump publicly encouraged Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., to push the legislation through the chamber. Thune has said he currently does not have the votes needed to advance the bill.
Public opinion surveys suggest voter ID requirements enjoy wide backing across the political spectrum.
CNN data analyst Harry Enten recently highlighted polling from Pew Research showing that 95 percent of Republicans support voter ID laws, along with 71 percent of Democrats.
“Normally, you might expect hey, there’d be a big divide by party, with Republicans really for it and Democrats really against it,” Enten said. “But not really here.”
The Texas race has drawn national attention as Republicans look ahead to future Senate battles. Paxton’s challenge to Cornyn has set up a contest between a longtime Washington figure and a conservative state official seeking to shake up the status quo.
Meanwhile, Texas’ other Republican senator, Ted Cruz, is not scheduled to face voters again until 2030.
Trump acknowledged that Cornyn’s willingness to reconsider the filibuster rule was something he appreciated.
“I appreciate that very much,” the president said.
Still, Trump made clear that he is not ready to make his decision just yet. For now, the fate of the SAVE America Act — and the broader political fight surrounding it — may weigh heavily on whether the president ultimately throws his support behind Cornyn or chooses to stay on the sidelines.
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