U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) appears to be navigating a primary conversion on the filibuster, expressing support for altering Senate rules to pass the SAVE America Act.
This change comes shortly after pressure from rival Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-Texas) during their Texas Republican primary runoff campaign.
Cornyn argued in a March 11 opinion piece that securing passage of the election bill, which would require proof of citizenship to register for federal elections, may justify altering or weakening the Senate filibuster, a position he had long defended.
“For many years, I believed that if the US Senate scrapped the filibuster, Texas and our nation would stand to lose more than we would gain,” Cornyn wrote in The New York Post. “But when the reality on the ground changes, leaders must take stock and adapt.”
Paxton was quick to respond:
Cornyn's team better show John the op-ed he "wrote." https://t.co/ws8dbAOvGJ
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 11, 2026
Cornyn said Democrats have already undermined the Senate’s traditional 60-vote threshold by previously attempting to eliminate the filibuster themselves. Because of that, he wrote, Republicans should consider rule changes if necessary to advance the SAVE Act and other priorities backed by President Donald Trump.
“Process matters, but outcomes matter more,” Cornyn wrote, adding that he supports “whatever changes to Senate rules that may prove necessary” to pass the legislation and funding for homeland security.
The stance represents a primary conversion on the filibuster in the middle of a high-stakes Republican runoff in Texas.
Paxton, who narrowly trailed Cornyn in the March 3 Republican primary and forced a May 26 runoff, previously criticized Cornyn for refusing to back eliminating the filibuster to pass the SAVE Act.
Paxton posted on social media on March 5 that he would “consider dropping out” of the Senate race if Senate leadership agreed to lift the filibuster and pass the legislation, according to prior reporting by The Dallas Express.
“The Save America Act is the most important bill the U.S. Senate could ever pass, and I’m committed to helping President Trump get it done,” Paxton posted.
The proposal has also become a point of tension within Senate Republican leadership.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune told colleagues during a private meeting that Republicans currently lack the votes to force Democrats into a “talking filibuster” to advance the legislation, according to reporting by The Hill. Thune reportedly warned the strategy could paralyze the Senate floor for weeks without guaranteeing passage of the bill.
Republicans hold 53 Senate seats, meaning they would still need 60 votes to overcome a traditional filibuster unless the chamber’s rules were changed.
Trump has repeatedly urged Senate Republicans to prioritize the SAVE Act, which he reportedly called his “number one priority,” and warned that failing to pass it could hurt the party in upcoming elections.
PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT!
1. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW VOTER I.D. (IDENTIFICATION!).
2. ALL VOTERS MUST SHOW PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER TO VOTE.
3. NO MAIL-IN BALLOTS (EXCEPT FOR ILLNESS, DISABILITY, MILITARY, OR TRAVEL!).
4. NO MEN IN WOMEN’S SPORTS.
5. NO TRANSGENDER MUTILATION… pic.twitter.com/2KVtt5TOaq— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 10, 2026
The Texas Senate race is unfolding alongside that national debate.
Neither Cornyn nor Paxton secured a majority in the March 3 primary, sending the race to a runoff that has drawn attention from national Republicans and Trump himself. The President previously said he plans to endorse a candidate soon and asked the non-endorsed contender to drop out so Republicans can focus on defeating Democrat state Rep. James Talarico in November, according to previous reporting by The Dallas Express.
Cornyn, in his opinion piece, urged fellow Republicans who still support preserving the filibuster to reconsider. “The Democrats’ recklessness and radicalism have changed the landscape,” he wrote. “On these critical issues, at this critical hour, the old procedures no longer align with the core American principles we must defend.”
Paxton was quick to bring to light Coryn’s about-face, exchanging barbs on social media:
You attacked the talking filibuster as not "feasible" days ago.
In October, you refused to help the President abolish the filibuster and said "it's a nonstarter."
Texas deserves better than someone who only does the right thing when desperately trying to save themself. https://t.co/B718djZ08H
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) March 11, 2026
