Trump urges Republicans to pass CR with SAVE Act included even if it leads to government shutdown

Former President Trump, the 2024 GOP presidential nominee, has urged Congress to include the SAVE Act language into the next spending bill, likely a short-term Continuing Resolution (CR), even if it leads to a government shutdown. 

"Absolutely and I think you should also charge your elections to paper ballots. I think you should get a lot of things for that," Trump said on Thursday on Monica Crowley's podcast. "Republicans ought to try and get some things for a change, the House and the Senate, they ought to go for getting things. They don't get anything. They extend everything."

Trump said he "would shut the government down in a heartbeat if they don't get it and get it in the bill."

Trump had a direct message for Senate GOP Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to hold the line and make sure the SAVE Act stays in the bill.

"It should be in the bill and if it's not in the bill they should close it up," Trump said. "You need more than the SAVE Act. You need borders.

Trump said he personally prefers that the House GOP include the Secure the Border Act of 2023, H.R. 2, in the next spending bill.

"That was the real deal," he said. "It is unbelievable to me how they don't use leverage. They have such leverage and they don't use it."

According to the official text, the SAVE Act "requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections."

The bill would prohibit "states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship."