What would happen if the quarterback of your favorite football team decided to spike the ball on every down because he was worried about getting sacked, fumbling the ball and giving it to the other team?
He’d get benched, of course, and lose the support of his teammates, fans and coaches.
There are times when grounding the ball is necessary. But doing it routinely is a losing strategy. In all cases, winning the game requires playing offense and playing to the strengths of the team. If you have a good running back, run the ball. If you have good receivers, throw the ball. No matter what, show your team, fans and coaches that you’re willing to leave it all on the field.
This is good leadership.
Congress will soon revisit a piece of legislation supported by all House Republicans and five House Democrats. Eighty-three percent of voters polled support what it would accomplish. Former President Trump, the Republican nominee, says we should add it to the upcoming government funding bill ahead of the Sept. 30 deadline, which Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is working on right now.
In the Republican Party, President Trump is the coach of the team. He has called for a pass on third-and-long with a few minutes left in the fourth quarter. The score is nearly even, the whole game is on the line, and we must get the first down to win. This is the kind of play call that determines whether we win or lose.
Unfortunately, Senate Republican leadership plans to throw the ball away, forcing a punt when Americans desperately need a first down.
The legislation in question is the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for people registering to vote in federal elections, including this November. It is being reported that some Senate Republican leaders are working against adding this legislation to the upcoming funding bill.
Why? With President Biden’s wide-open border and reports that non-citizens are being illegally registered to vote, the integrity of American elections is in grave danger. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) recently announced that his administration had identified and removed 6,500 non-citizens from voter rolls. In Virginia, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) announced the removal of 6,303 non-citizens from his state’s voter rolls as well. If the 2024 election turns out to be a game of inches, these are numbers that could determine its outcome.
Reasonable minds may disagree on the particular play call of adding the SAVE Act to the funding bill. But facing such serious threats to our country, Republicans need our Senate leadership to move the ball down the field rather than throw it away for fear of a fumble or an interception.
Senate Republicans need a mentality shift when it comes to our leaders. The opportunity to elect a new one later this year will be an chance to reevaluate how the Senate operates. It’s time to decide what’s working and what isn't.
My colleagues seeking a leadership position can demonstrate their ability by spelling out how they can help their fellow Republican senators accomplish what we believe is best for our states and our country. Members of our team have unmatched backgrounds, talents and strengths that we ignore to our own detriment. We should play to the strengths of our team.
Instead of telling senators what they can’t do, the next Republican leader should come ready with playbooks for advancing Republican priorities. Above all, the next GOP leader should ensure that the process works for Republican senators rather than against them.
Unfortunately, this is not a game. The stakes for our country are higher than ever. If Senate Republicans don’t start demanding a new way of doing business from their leadership, they will forfeit their chance to save this country.
The SAVE Act is a powerful example of why good leadership in the Senate is critical for the future of America. It is one of many victories Americans will see if they choose to empower Republicans, including President Trump, in November’s election. To earn that power, Senate Republicans must be willing and ready to advance the ball to achieve real legislative wins, now and in the years to come.
Mike Lee is the senior U.S. senator from Utah.
