U.S. Sen. Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) says she is prepared to work through the Senate’s August recess “as long as it takes” to complete several major Republican priorities.
Her commitment comes after President Donald Trump called on Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to keep senators in Washington until they pass the SAVE America Act or eliminate the legislative filibuster.
In a statement to Yellowhammer News, Britt said she wants the Senate to complete a number of priorities before lawmakers leave Washington.
“I want to see the Senate pass SAVE America, pass the Russia-Iran Sanctions bill, confirm President Trump’s nominees, and prevent another Democratic shutdown before the August state work period,” Britt said.
“As always, I will stay as long as it takes to get the job done.”
Britt also cited sanctions legislation targeting Russia, Iran and foreign actors supporting their activities, along with the Senate’s work confirming Trump administration nominees and addressing federal funding.
Trump urged Thune not to allow senators to leave Washington without acting on the election legislation.
“John Thune should not allow the United States Senate to ‘leave town’ until it passes The Save America Act or, far better still, TERMINATES THE FILIBUSTER,” Trump wrote on social media.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) separately endorsed both canceling the recess and ending the filibuster.
“The Senate has done NOTHING to deserve a five-week break,” Tuberville wrote in a social media post, citing military funding, the possibility of a government shutdown and election-security legislation.
Tuberville said he would join U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) in opposing any attempt to adjourn the Senate for its scheduled break.
“Americans didn’t send us to D.C. to take a vacation,” Tuberville said. “They sent us here to preserve the greatest country on Earth.”
The SAVE America Act would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and photo identification when casting a ballot.
Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, leaving them short of the 60 votes generally required to overcome a filibuster and advance most legislation. Thune has resisted calls to eliminate the rule.
The Senate’s scheduled August state work period begins August 10 and continues through September 11.
Both Alabama senators have now committed to remaining in Washington rather than allowing the Senate to adjourn before completing its work.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
