The Trump administration faced a series of challenges and controversies this week, including environmental rollbacks, a legal setback, and a contentious election reform bill passed by the House of Representatives. The House passed the SAVE America Act, an election reform bill with stricter voter ID requirements, on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, by a vote of 218-213, according to Time. The bill now heads to the Senate.
The SAVE America Act would require voters to provide proof of citizenship and photo identification to cast ballots in all 50 states, among other changes, Time reported. While the bill passed largely along party lines, Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas was the only member to break ranks and support the legislation, according to Time. An earlier version of the legislation passed the House last year with the backing of four Democrats.
Simultaneously, the Trump administration was under scrutiny for its environmental policies. The administration announced a rollback of the 2009 endangerment finding, according to Vox. The move drew criticism from environmental groups, with the administration being accused of shredding the federal government's ability to fight climate change.
In a separate development, a U.S. judge blocked the Department of Defense from stripping Senator Mark Kelly, a military veteran, of his retirement pension and rank, according to Al Jazeera. The judge, appointed by a Republican president, rebuked the Trump administration's attempt to punish Kelly for his critical statements against the former president, citing concerns about stifling veterans' free speech rights.
Adding to the political tensions, Republicans are criticizing Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff in a new attack ad for his stance on voter ID requirements, according to Time. The developments come amid a backdrop of increasing political polarization, with new terms emerging in the discourse. Vox reported that the term "Affluent White Female Urban Liberal," or AWFUL, is being used to express disdain for certain groups. Talking heads on Fox News and right-wing YouTubers describe AWFULs as smug, entitled, and even a cancer on the nation, according to Vox.
The SAVE America Act faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to overcome a potential filibuster, according to Time. The various developments highlight the ongoing political battles and policy shifts occurring under the Trump administration.
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