Mike Lee backs Trump’s call to bypass filibuster for $350 billion defense bill
Trump the Utah senator urges the Senate to pass the SAVE AMERICA Act “through whatever means,” amplifying Trump's push for Reconciliation 3.0 and full War Department funding.
WHITE HOUSE — Mike Lee endorsed Donald Trump‘s demand that Congress pass a $350 billion defense package by overcoming Senate filibuster rules on a Truth Social post on July 8, 2026 at 12:26 AM EST (see truthsocial).
Here is the full post on [truthsocial]: “Mike Lee ✶ @BasedMikeLee Through whatever means-nuking the Zombie Filibuster, enforcing the Talking Filibuster, a creative use of budget reconciliation, or otherwise—the Senate MUST pass the SAVE AMERICA Act. We’ve crossed the point of no return. Failure is not an option. Trump @realDonaldTrump The United States Military has never been stronger, or more powerful. No other Nation can do what we do (It’s not even close!). This year we set even more Historic Recruiting Records, months ahead of schedule. Morale has never been higher. Our Military’s unmatched POWER was on full display during our Celebration of 250 Years of American Independence and, like our Country, the WAR DEPARTMENT has never been “HOTTER.” We need to keep it that way, which is why, when Congress returns, we must pass Reconciliation 3.0, with 350 Billion Dollars for Defense, plus THE SAVE AMERICA ACT! I am calling on House and Senate Leadership to make this their Number One Priority, and ensure that 350 Billion Dollars in Recon 3.0 moves out of the Budget Committee as soon as Congress is back in session. The SAVE AMERICA ACT, which everyone is asking for, paired with the full funding of our Great Department of War, can be passed very quickly, ensuring that the United States of America stays FREE for Generations to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter! Trump”
Trump’s post called on House and Senate leadership to treat the legislation as their top priority when Congress reconvenes. He directed that $350 billion in what he labeled “Recon 3.0” move out of the Budget Committee immediately upon the body’s return to session. Trump also referred to the Department of Defense by its pre-1947 name, the “War Department,” and claimed the military had set “Historic Recruiting Records” months ahead of schedule.
Lee amplified Trump’s message by listing several procedural tactics the Senate could employ to ensure the SAVE AMERICA Act clears the chamber. Among them were eliminating what he called the “Zombie Filibuster,” enforcing the “Talking Filibuster” that requires senators to hold the floor continuously, or using a creative application of the budget reconciliation process (see senate.gov). The Senate filibuster currently requires 60 votes to advance most legislation, and changing or circumventing it has been a recurring flashpoint in congressional procedural battles (see britannica.com).
U.S. Senator Mike Lee posted a message on Truth Social on 07/08/2026.
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Lee, a Republican who has represented Utah in the U.S. Senate since 2011, chairs the Senate Energy Committee and has served as a Trump ally in Congress (see wikipedia.org). A lawyer by training who clerked for Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Lee initially declined to endorse Trump during the 2016 presidential primaries but later became one of his most vocal supporters in the Senate (see wikipedia.org).
Trump’s post also celebrated what he called the military’s display of “unmatched POWER” during the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence. He framed the SAVE AMERICA Act and the defense funding as essential to keeping the country “FREE for Generations to come.”
In the last 30 days, 54 of 559 Trump posts on Truth Social addressed domestic policy, according to a Zenger analysis of a real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Source: Zenger real-time database of all Truth Social posts.
Note: Chart generated on July 8, 2026 at 12:12 AM EST
Source: Zenger analysis real-time database of all Truth Social posts
Note: Table generated on July 8, 2026 at 12:12 AM EST