By Trendsetter Tribune 
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) broke ranks with her party on Tuesday, becoming the first Republican senator to publicly oppose the SAVE America Act and the MEGA Act—two sweeping election reform bills championed by the Trump administration. Murkowski, a noted centrist, argued that the legislation violates core conservative principles regarding states’ rights and threatens to disrupt the 2026 midterm cycle.
Constitutional and Practical Concerns
In a statement released on social media, Murkowski emphasized that the U.S. Constitution grants states, not the federal government, the primary authority to manage elections.
- State Sovereignty: Murkowski pointed out the irony of the GOP’s current push, noting that Republicans unanimously opposed Democratic election reforms in 2021 specifically to prevent the “federalization” of elections.
- Timing and Resources: She warned that imposing “one-size-fits-all” mandates from Washington just months before the midterms would create chaos for local officials. “Election Day is fast approaching,” she noted, adding that forced policy shifts without adequate resources would “negatively impact election integrity.”
- The “MEGA” Factor: Her opposition extends to the Make Elections Great Again (MEGA) Act, a more expansive bill that would mandate 30-day voter roll purges and ban universal mail-in voting.
The Legislative Landscape: SAVE vs. MEGA
The House is expected to vote on the SAVE America Act on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. While House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has expressed confidence in its passage, Murkowski’s dissent signals a difficult path forward in the Senate.
| Feature | SAVE America Act | MEGA Act |
| Primary Goal | Requires documentary proof of citizenship to register. | Comprehensive overhaul of federal election standards. |
| ID Requirements | Focuses on citizenship docs (Passports, Birth Certificates). | Mandates strict photo ID for all in-person voting. |
| Voter Rolls | Mandates removal of non-citizens. | Requires “affirmative” roll purges every 30 days. |
| Mail-In Voting | N/A | Bans universal mail-in voting; requires affirmative requests. |
Senate Strategy and the “Talking Filibuster”
Murkowski’s stance complicates a plan by Senate conservatives, led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), to bypass the traditional 60-vote threshold.
- The Maneuver: Lee has proposed a “talking filibuster,” which would force Democrats to hold the floor with continuous speeches to block the bill.
- The Resistance: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has remained skeptical, fearing the tactic would paralyze the Senate floor for weeks and set a dangerous precedent for future Democratic majorities.
- The Math: With Murkowski’s opposition, the GOP would need to flip at least seven Democrats to reach 60 votes—a feat many analysts consider impossible given the vocal opposition from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).