Tommy Tuberville

President Donald Trump delivered a forceful message to Senate Republicans during a meeting at the Capitol on Wednesday, urging lawmakers to use their majority power to advance his agenda and overcome political obstacles, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., told Newsmax.

Speaking on "Ed Henry: The Big Take," Tuberville said Trump framed the nation's political challenges as a battle against growing left-wing influence in government and institutions.

"Well, he kind of explained it this way: Basically, this is a different world we live in; this is not the United States of 15 or 20 years ago," he said.

According to Tuberville, Trump argued that Republicans have the tools necessary to push through their priorities if they are willing to use them.

The Alabama senator said Trump discussed eliminating procedural hurdles, including the Senate filibuster and the blue-slip tradition, which gives home-state senators influence over certain judicial and federal prosecutor nominations.

"We have power, but we can stop it," Tuberville said, describing Trump's message.

"All we have to do is use the power that we have."

Invited to speak at the GOP luncheon by Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., Trump had signaled ahead of time that he would use the closed-door meeting to push senators to pass his proof-of-citizenship voting bill.

But the conversation was more focused on Tuesday's vote to approve the war powers resolution, a mostly symbolic measure that allows Congress to rebuke the administration's military actions. The House passed its own version of the resolution earlier this month.

After calling them "losers" on social media, Trump also singled out the four Republican senators who voted with Democrats on the measure: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana.

Tuberville said Trump emphasized the importance of confirming U.S. attorneys who would carry out the administration's policies and priorities.

The president's visit came as Republicans seek to advance key legislative initiatives while navigating a closely divided Senate and a range of domestic and international challenges.

Tuberville praised Trump for making time to meet with senators despite ongoing global crises and policy disputes facing the administration.

"It was great to see President Trump. He's between a rock and a hard place with all these things going on around the world," he said.

"He took an hour of his time to come over and basically say, 'Listen, I need your help, and I can't do it by myself."

Tuberville described the meeting as energizing for Republicans and said Trump succeeded in motivating lawmakers, although he was unsure whether the president changed the minds of members who may have been reluctant to support parts of his agenda.

"It was a great speech, motivated everybody," he said.

"Now, did he change anybody's mind? I don't know."

Tuberville also called for repeated votes on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE America Act, saying lawmakers should make clear where members stand on the legislation.

"I think we need to vote on the SAVE America Act every day that we're up here, and let people know who's on it and who's against it."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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