United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) appeared on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures to discuss several topics, including the SAVE Act, Department of Homeland Security funding, digital asset legislation, and U.S.–Japan relations. Hagerty is a member of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, and Foreign Relations Committees and previously served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
During the interview, Hagerty addressed voter ID laws and accused Senate Democrats of blocking measures supported by most Americans. “The American public is broadly in support of showing voter ID. It’s north of 80 percent for the American public. And you’ve got to ask yourself: who are the Democrats in the Senate representing? Over 70 percent of Democrats want this, yet we won’t have a single Democrat who will support it. Why is that? Look no further than what they tried to push forward about five years ago with their HR1/S1–the whole voting apparatus that they tried to come in and change to do away with voter ID across the nation, to enlist 16-year-olds to vote, felons to vote, using taxpayer dollars to support campaigns, and frankly, to pay their own candidates. They’re so detached from reality, it’s just amazing.”
Explaining the SAVE Act proposal further, Hagerty said: “What the SAVE Act does is very simple. It simply requires what we require in my home state of Tennessee. It codifies that to demonstrate that you are indeed an American citizen, in order to vote, you have to be qualified. And then when you go to the poll, you have to prove that you’re yourself by showing an ID. That is not hard. That is not difficult, and it does not impinge on the state’s constitutional abilities to set the time and manner and place of elections. It seems like it should be a no-brainer. But the reason that it’s not is that the Democrats under the Biden administration flooded this country with tens of millions of illegal aliens. They want chaos in the elections. They want no voter ID. So we have to really ask ourselves who they represent and why they’re trying to do this. The American public is with us on this one. We’re looking at the talking filibuster. It’s something that has not been used in a long, long time. It’s a complicated process, but I think we’re going to look at every way we possibly can to get this to the floor, to defeat the Democrats’ obstructionism and do something that makes common sense for Americans.”
On potential strategies for advancing election legislation such as a talking filibuster or other methods within Senate procedures—which he serves on through multiple committees—Hagerty added: “We’re looking at it [the talking filibuster]. We’ve gone through it as a conference, and now that we have [Sen.] Susan [Collins] on board, we’re going to be laser-focused on this and any other method we can utilize to get this on the floor. This is obviously something the American people want. What we’ll have if we actually implement it is a higher turnout at elections because people will have more confidence that the election of their vote is going to be sacred. It’s going to be safe, and we’re going to have voter integrity.”
Discussing foreign policy issues involving China and Taiwan—and referencing recent speeches—Hagerty said: “You can see the lack of seriousness among leading Democrats here in America. Contrast that with Secretary of State [Marco] Rubio’s speech. He did a brilliant job articulating the region and the rationale for America to work closely with our European allies and stand strong against adversaries like China…And you see this non-serious behavior of someone like this going over Munich when they’re not prepared…It reflects poorly on America…I’ve got think that did not help her [Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] career politically…”
Addressing U.S.–Japan relations after Japan’s parliamentary elections—where he formerly served as ambassador—Hagerty stated: “The relationship is stronger than ever…President Trump is extraordinarily popular in Japan…We worked very hard make bond strong with his friend ally Prime Minister Abe…Takaichi actually protégé Abe she carried ball even further…Japanese public responding President Trump endorsement Takaichi went long way now record popularity super majority her party National Diet Japanese parliament…we see coming together way I think really reflects strength alliance strongest alliance world right now between United States Japan…If you think about who doesn’t like this CCP [Chinese Communist Party]…you look what foreign minister China said Munich Security Conference; he’s obviously deeply concerned…what Defense Minister Koizumi said Japan standing strong…we’ve got strong partner economic standpoint military standpoint projects strength region North Korea Russia China all disappointed…”
Regarding next steps for bringing election legislation such as SAVE Act forward procedurally within Senate leadership deliberations—including Majority Whip John Thune—Hagerty commented: “I think [Sen.] John [Thune] entire leadership are looking best method get done all want all want happen so I won’t get ahead leader he’s got navigate procedural aspects Senate but I think clear Republicans want see happen common sense hope get soon possible.”
Hagerty represents Tennessee as a Republican senator according his official website. His office operates statewide district locations—including Chattanooga Knoxville Tri-Cities—and Washington D.C., offering constituent services such as casework assistance federal agency support through these offices. In addition serving Foreign Relations Committee he also sits Banking Housing Urban Affairs Appropriations Rules Administration Committees in current Congress.