Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) criticized Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) this week over his failure to advance voter identification legislation in the Senate during an interview with journalist Catherine Herridge on the program “Straight to the Point.”
Luna said she believes voter identification is a top national issue, and argued that Republican leadership should be able to pass legislation on the matter given their control of Congress.
“I think the number one most important issue in the country right now is voter ID. And if we can’t deliver on that, then people like John Thune do not deserve to come back to Congress,” she said.
Luna’s comments came during a discussion about the Save America Act. The legislation would require proof of citizenship and identification in order to vote.
Herridge asked why Republicans have not been able to move the bill forward despite holding majorities. She questioned whether internal divisions within the party were preventing action on an issue that is clearly a priority for President Donald Trump.
“Republicans control the House and the Senate. Why can’t they get the Save America Act passed?” she asked.
Luna responded by placing responsibility on Thune, noting he has the authority to change Senate procedures to allow the bill to advance. “John Thune is a problem,” Luna said. “He has every ability to embrace the standing filibuster or remove the filibuster,” she said.
She also criticized the current use of the filibuster in the Senate. Luna said the procedure has changed from its original purpose, and predicted Democrats would definitely get rid of it if they seize power in the future.
“Democrats are going to do it anyways,” Luna said. “And by the way, the current form of the filibuster is a perversion of what it initially was.”
Luna said some lawmakers prioritize protecting Senate traditions. She said she believes the focus should be on outcomes rather than institutional norms. “I get protecting the institution, but let’s also talk about what the institution’s become,” Luna said. She argued that the current system is preventing action on key issues.
Herridge asked whether Luna viewed Thune’s leadership as weak. Luna declined to use that characterization but reiterated her disagreement with his approach.
“I think John Thune is doing the wrong thing,” Luna said. “I don’t know if I would necessarily say weak because he’s clearly stubborn.”
Luna said she believes Thune is responsible for the lack of progress on voter identification legislation. She said he cannot attribute the delay to Democratic opposition.
“He can’t honestly blame the Democrats for this because he’s the one in control,” Luna said. She said Senate leadership has the authority to determine how legislation is handled.
Luna said she is attempting to attach voter ID provisions to other legislation moving through Congress. She pointed to upcoming votes on surveillance-related measures as a possible opportunity. “We have FISA up for a vote this week,” Luna said. “I’m trying to do everything I can to get voter ID on to FISA.”
She acknowledged that adding such provisions requires support from other lawmakers. Luna said she has faced resistance from members of her own party.
“But I’m having to work against my own party to do that. I’m just one person and it takes multiple votes,” she said, adding that she supports reforms to existing surveillance laws. However, she reiterated that voter identification remains her top priority.
“Yes, FISA needs reform. But I think the number one most important issue in the country right now is voter ID,” she said.
She concluded by calling for accountability from elected officials. Luna said voters should evaluate lawmakers based on their positions on the issue.
“If we can’t deliver on that, then people like John Thune do not deserve to come back to Congress,” Luna said. “Vote him out… when it’s time.”