The House of Representatives passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act on Wednesday to ensure that only American citizens vote in federal elections.
According to Fox News, the bill passed by a vote of 221-198 but now faces opposition in the Senate and a potential veto from President Biden.
In May, the SAVE Act introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, seeks to strengthen voter eligibility requirements. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., championed the bill, which requires state election officials to verify citizenship before providing voter registration forms and mandates proof of citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections.
Five Democrats, including Reps, joined Republicans in voting for the bill. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas; Vicente Gonzalez, D-Texas; Jared Golden, D-Maine; Don Davis, D-N.C.; and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash. Despite this support, the bill faces significant challenges in the Senate. President Biden has indicated his intention to veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
The SAVE Act also allows state officials to accept various documents for voter registration and provides access to a federal agency database to remove noncitizens from voter rolls. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would be responsible for initiating removal proceedings for noncitizens registered to vote and notifying state election officials when individuals are naturalized.
Former President Trump advocated for the SAVE Act at a press conference earlier this year at Mar-a-Lago. Leading up to the July Fourth recess, Speaker Johnson circulated a memo within the House GOP conference, emphasizing the necessity of the bill. Johnson continued to advocate for the bill on the social media platform X.
Opponents argue that the SAVE Act is redundant, as current U.S. law already restricts federal voting to citizens. Critics also contend that the bill could result in U.S. citizens being denied their right to vote more frequently than it would prevent noncitizens from voting.
The Tea Party Patriots Action issued a statement celebrating the passage of the SAVE Act, underscoring their support for the legislation. The group stated:
Tea Party Patriots Action strongly supports the SAVE Act because it would bolster the integrity of our country's federal elections by closing the loopholes that allow noncitizens to register and vote. This legislation would represent a step forward in upholding the sanctity of our democratic process and ensuring that every vote cast in our federal elections is done so only by American citizens.
The SAVE Act includes several key provisions aimed at reinforcing voter eligibility. State election officials must verify citizenship before providing voter registration forms, and individuals must provide proof of citizenship before registering to vote in federal elections. The legislation allows for a variety of documents to be accepted for voter registration to facilitate the process for citizens.
Additionally, the act provides states with access to a federal agency database to remove noncitizens from voter rolls and confirm citizenship for those lacking proof. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plays a crucial role in determining whether to initiate removal proceedings for noncitizens registered to vote and notifying state officials when individuals are naturalized.
As the bill moves to the Senate, it faces substantial opposition from Democrats. President Biden's stated intention to veto the measure further complicates its prospects. Proponents of the SAVE Act argue that it is necessary to safeguard the integrity of federal elections, while opponents view it as redundant and potentially harmful to citizens' voting rights.
Despite the controversy, the passage of the SAVE Act in the House marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over voter eligibility and election integrity. The coming weeks will determine whether the bill can navigate the legislative hurdles ahead and become law.
The House of Representatives' approval of the SAVE Act represents a pivotal moment in ensuring that only American citizens vote in federal elections. Introduced by Rep. Chip Roy and supported by House Speaker Mike Johnson, the bill aims to strengthen voter eligibility requirements and provide states with tools to verify citizenship. While it garnered bipartisan support in the House, the bill faces significant opposition in the Senate and a potential veto from President Biden. The debate over the SAVE Act underscores the broader discussion about election integrity and the measures necessary to protect it.
