Sen. Lee pressures GOP leaders to cancel or delay August recess until election-security bill passes

Utah Sen. Mike Lee is pressuring the Republican leadership to cancel or delay the upcoming August recess until the SAVE America Act is passed. 

The measure would require voters to prove their U.S. citizenship and provide a valid photo ID when registering, and it would restrict voting by mail. 

In a post on X, Lee pushed Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota to cancel or delay the recess, and he requested a roll call vote. 

"Do not assume you have my consent," Lee said. "You do not." 

Forcing a roll call vote on whether to adjourn for a month is an unusual move, as the Senate typically agrees unanimously to go out of session, Deseret News reported. 

Thune told reporters on Monday he wouldn't rule out delaying or canceling the recess, but only if there's a likelihood the Senate will get things done. If there's no clear path for the passage of the SAVE act, Thune said there's no reason to keep lawmakers in Washington. 

"If we are going to be sitting here in endless quorum calls, I don’t know if that’s in the best interest," Thune said. 

Lee's call to cancel the annual August recess has the support of at least six other Senate Republicans so far, which leaves the success of a roll call vote in doubt. At least 50 Senators would need to vote in favor for it to pass.