Ohio Republican Sen. Jon Husted got into a heated live television argument with CNN anchor Brianna Keilar on Thursday over his own voter ID legislation.
The confrontation unfolded as Keilar pressed Husted on the SAVE America Act, a piece of legislation backed by President Donald Trump and congressional conservatives that critics argue could strip eligible Americans of their voting rights.
The interview came a day after Husted’s voter ID amendment went down to defeat without a single Democratic vote, as Trump separately ramped up pressure on Senate Republicans to scrap the filibuster, fully fund the Department of Homeland Security, and push the SAVE America Act across the finish line.
Keilar drew on Husted’s own record investigating voter fraud, pointing out that documented cases of fraud were far too few to justify the bill’s sweeping requirements.
Husted pushed back hard, insisting Keilar was mischaracterizing his legislation.
“If you’re going to let me finish so I can get the facts, my bill doesn’t have any registration requirements,” the senator said.
He argued the failed amendment was a straightforward photo ID requirement, identical to existing laws in Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin, and other states.
“They still are unwilling to say ‘yes’ to the most simple part of election integrity,” Husted said. “And that is a photo ID.”
Keilar kept interrupting, pressing the visibly agitated senator to clarify his position.
“Can you be a little clear on that?” she asked, as both continued to talk over each other throughout the exchange.
