Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn takes parting shots at fellow Republican Utah Sen. Mike Lee over SAVE America Act votes.
The latest exchange unfolded Thursday night and into Friday morning, when Cornyn fired back at criticism by labeling conservative election integrity activist Scott Presler a “grifter” in a post on X. Notably, Scott Presler campaigned for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in the state’s Republican U.S. Senate primary last month.
Grifter https://t.co/Nu22P8OXGp
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 11, 2026
Cornyn also urged Lee in a separate post on X to stop publicly blaming fellow Republicans — including Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota — for the GOP elections bill’s failure to gain enough support within the conference. (RELATED: The SAVE America Act Gets Its Long-Awaited Debate)
“Mike, I am a co-sponsor and have repeatedly voted for this, but you don’t have the votes. Leader John Thune can’t change that. It is math. Try focusing on Democrats instead of Republicans. Republican on Republican attacks are hurting our chances to win the majority in November,” wrote in a 1 AM post.
Mike, I am a co-sponsor and have repeatedly voted for this but you don’t have the votes. @LeaderJohnThune can’t change that. It is math. Try focusing on Democrats instead of Republicans. Republican on Republican attacks are hurting our chances to win the majority in November. https://t.co/pPsx67mkii
— Senator John Cornyn (@JohnCornyn) June 12, 2026
Lee fired back at Cornyn and rejected the criticism, writing, “On what planet is this an attack on Republicans? We have majority support for the bill. In this rare circumstance, we should put it on the floor and keep debating it until it passes.”
Lee added that his push for the legislation was “not an attack on Republicans” but rather “a plan of attack against voter fraud.”
On what planet is this an attack on Republicans?
We have majority support for the bill.
In this rare circumstance, we should put it on the floor and keep debating it until it passes.
That’s not an attack on Republicans.
That’s a plan of attack against voter fraud. https://t.co/sypWULkOAP
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 12, 2026
Lee in a speech on the Senate floor on Friday and stated that Senate Republicans should force the SAVE America Act on the floor, in response to Cornyn’s claims that the Utah Senator was “attacking Republicans.” (RELATED: Sen. Mike Lee Says No Rule Change Needed To Pass SAVE Act)
“We have majority support for the bill. In this rare circumstance, we should put it on the floor and keep debating it until it passes,” Lee went on to say, “That’s not an attack on Republicans. That’s a plan of attack against voter fraud.”
In a Thursday interview, Cornyn rejected the notion that he is a “wounded bear” and cautioned that President Trump’s insistence on “slavish adherence” could backfire politically, according to a The New York Times report.
Cornyn predicted that if Democrats take control of the House or Senate in the midterms, Trump would face “the most miserable two years of his life.” He added, “I think it is going to be a pretty bumpy ride for the next seven months.”