In a fiery dialogue on Fox Business Network’s “Mornings with Maria,” Representative Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) did not hold back his displeasure with the U.S. Senate’s reliance on the filibuster. Van Drew aired his grievances on Friday, emphasizing how he believes it obstructs progress on crucial legislation.
During the segment, Van Drew labeled the Senate’s decision to permit Democrats to filibuster the SAVE America Act as “shameful,” voicing his anger over the matter.
Host Jackie DeAngelis drew attention to the SAVE America Act, describing its mandate for voters to prove citizenship when registering to vote—a measure she suggested could have preempted voting issues in New Jersey. She queried Van Drew on whether Congress could push the bill through to the president before year’s end, questioning its realistic potential amidst Senate stagnation since February.
Van Drew responded with cautious optimism, stating, “It’s still got a realistic chance.” He conveyed his profound disappointment in the Senate, aligning himself with voters who expect their senators to champion straightforward principles. “If you want to vote in an American election, you must be an American, and you show ID,” he stated emphatically. He critiqued the notion that ID requirements suppress votes, arguing instead for them as a necessity to safeguard electoral integrity and responsibility.
Continuing his critique, Van Drew addressed the obstructive nature of the filibuster. He lamented its transformation from a tool to extend debate into a barrier requiring a supermajority for legislative action. “What’s the good of a majority then?” he questioned, labeling the practice as “obstructionist” and out of touch with public will. He urged the Senate to pass the bill, warning that failure to do so would incite anger among Americans—a sentiment he shares. “It’s shameful. They’ve got to get this done,” he insisted, declaring firmly, “I’m angry.”
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