House Republicans approved the "SAVE America Act," requiring proof of citizenship to register and photo ID to vote, aiming to prevent fraud. Democrats and experts warn it will disenfranchise millions and is a form of voter suppression, facing strong opposition and an uncertain future in the Senate.
House Republicans have passed the "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility" (SAVE America Act), a bill requiring Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship (like a U.S. passport or birth certificate) when registering to vote and a valid photo ID to cast ballots. Approved on a largely party-line vote (218-213), Republicans contend the legislation is crucial to combat voter fraud, particularly by non-citizens, despite experts stating such fraud is extremely rare. Democrats, however, vehemently oppose the bill, asserting it will disenfranchise millions of eligible citizens who may lack readily available proof of citizenship, labeling it as voter suppression. The bill also mandates states share voter information with the Department of Homeland Security for citizenship verification, raising privacy concerns among election officials. This push comes ahead of midterm elections and echoes former President Trump's past efforts to nationalize election rules. The legislation faces significant challenges in the Senate, where it is unlikely to overcome the 60-vote filibuster threshold, with some Republicans, like Sen. Lisa Murkowski, expressing strong opposition due to concerns about states' rights and implementation difficulties without additional funding. This bill is a revised version of a similar one that failed to pass the Senate last year.
