Four GOP senators break ranks to kill voter ID measure

Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine; Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.; joined all Democrats Thursday night in a 50-48 vote against a measure requiring verification of U.S. citizenship and a photo ID for federal elections. Senators Michael Bennett, D-Colo., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, abstained from the vote.

Most of the Republicans were attempting to attach the measure—a version of the SAVE America Act—to a immigration enforcement budget reconciliation bill. The Thursday night vote was over cloture—in other words, senators were voting on whether to shut off debate and move to a second vote about adding the voter ID measure to the budget package. But Republicans failed to reach the 60-vote threshold needed to end debate.

Were there other options to get the measure passed? Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, criticized Senate procedure following the failed vote, arguing that Republicans could have passed the measure if they used a different process. Senate rules don’t require the 60-vote threshold to shut off debate. The rules allow a simple majority to attempt to pass legislation, but that involves the “talking filibuster”—giving senators from either party the opportunity to hold the floor as long as they want and then calling a vote once everyone is done. Senators tend to avoid that strategy, as it can lead to days-long standoffs during which they are not allowed to go home.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report on strategies Republicans have used in attempts to pass the voter ID bill.