The summer exit confirmed what had been apparent for weeks: that Republicans lacked the votes to pass the voting restrictions the president has made a top priority.

The top Republicans in the Senate spoke with the Kentucky Republican by phone this week, according to their spokespeople.

The Republican Congress is facing an uphill struggle to meet its obligations prior to the midterm elections. As chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and Donald Trump’s closest ally in an effort to massively increase defense spending, the late Lindsey ...