Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday that he is "pessimistic" about getting the Democratic support he needs in order to pass the SAVE America Act as the upper chamber begins debate on the bill.  

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which requires people to present proof of citizenship to register to vote and requires Americans to show ID when voting, will need 60 votes to pass and Senate Republicans only hold 53 seats. 

Thune expressed optimism that some vulnerable Senate Democrats could be convinced during the debate period to vote with the majority, but warned he was still "pessimistic" that he would actually get the votes he needed.

“I’m always pessimistic that Democrats are actually going to come to their senses and do what common sense would dictate they do, and that is support this,” Thune told Fox News’s Bret Baier. “It’s a freewheeling debate on the floor, and in the end, we’ll see if the Democrats come around and deliver some votes."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed on X that Senate Democrats will not be joining Republicans in helping to pass the SAVE America Act, "no matter how long it takes." 

The comment comes after President Donald Trump threatened not to endorse any Republican senators in the midterms who oppose the legislation, of which a similar version already passed the House last month. 

The president has lauded the bill as his top legislative priority. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.