President Donald Trump is escalating his campaign to pass the SAVE America Act, linking the stalled voting bill to both the renewal of a key surveillance law and a high-profile intelligence nomination.

In a Truth Social post Wednesday, Trump said he would not support renewal of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) unless Congress advances the SAVE America Act. He also announced the cancellation of a Senate hearing for Jay Clayton, his nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence.

The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and photo identification to cast ballots. Supporters argue the measure would strengthen election security, while critics say it could create barriers for eligible voters who lack easy access to citizenship documents.

The legislation has remained stalled in the Senate since February, prompting Trump and his allies to explore multiple routes to get it passed.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson previously told Newsweek the president was "committed to ensuring that Americans have full confidence in the administration of our elections."

She added that he had "urged Congress to pass the SAVE America Act and other legislative proposals that would establish a uniform standard of photo ID for voting, prohibit no-excuse mail-in voting, and end the practice of ballot harvesting to secure our elections for generations to come."

When approached for comment, the White House directed Newsweek to the president's recent post on Truth Social, about the delay of Clayton's nomination and the passing of FISA.

1. Trump Once Threatened to Freeze His Broader Agenda

Trump previously elevated the SAVE America Act above all other legislative priorities, warning that he would not sign additional bills until Congress passed it.

"It supersedes everything else," Trump wrote on Truth Social in March, adding: "I, as President, will not sign other Bills until this is passed."

The threat was largely symbolic, however, because legislation can become law without a presidential signature if it remains unsigned for 10 days while Congress is in session.

2. An Immigration Package Became an Early Vehicle

Trump and congressional allies also attempted to attach the SAVE America Act to a nearly $70 billion immigration enforcement package tied to ICE and Border Patrol funding.

The effort failed after Republican Senators Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell and Thom Tillis joined Democrats in opposition, leaving the measure stalled.

3. Defense Spending Became Another Route

Another strategy involved attaching the voting bill to a sweeping defense spending package that Trump has dubbed "Recon 3.0."

Last week, on Truth Social, Trump urged Republicans to back the $350 billion reconciliation bill. The president said that it would support a "generational investment" in the U.S. military, enabling America to obtain a $1.5 trillion military budget, which he added was necessary to "build the arsenal of freedom."

Trump wrote on the social media platform: "I am hereby calling on Republicans in Congress to IMMEDIATELY advance and pass the forthcoming $350 Billion Reconciliation Bill (Recon 3.0)—which, at the request of our Great Department of War—will include THE SAVE AMERICA ACT as well. No games, no delays, and no weak compromises! Do this ASAP."

4. Trump Raises Stakes With FISA Fight

Trump's latest strategy is to tie the legislation to FISA renewal, leveraging lawmakers' desire to preserve key surveillance authorities.

The move significantly raises the stakes for Congress, where there is bipartisan concern about allowing those authorities to lapse.

Section 702 allows intelligence agencies to collect communications involving targeted foreign nationals located outside the United States without obtaining a warrant.

5. Delaying Jay Clayton Nomination

Some lawmakers had hoped a swift confirmation of Jay Clayton would help stabilize the intelligence community as Congress debates the future of FISA.

Under Bill Pulte, currently serving as the Acting Director of National Intelligence, a bill to extend FISA collapsed and he drew criticism from both Republicans and Democrats for having no national security experience.

Lawmakers have therefore been somewhat united in trying to get America's national intelligence body led by Clayton, in place of Pulte.

But Trump added a new layer of pressure Wednesday by canceling Clayton's confirmation hearing, just hours before it was scheduled to begin.

Trump said Bill Pulte would remain acting DNI while Clayton's nomination is delayed, adding that he wants his preferred replacement for Clayton's current role as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York confirmed first.

This article contains reporting from The Associated Press.