Speaker Johnson Doubles Down on SAVE Act, Urges Senate Action on Voter ID Measures
House Speaker Mike Johnson is intensifying efforts to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, characterizing the legislation as a “no-brainer” for election integrity. The Speaker’s renewed push signals a coordinated effort by House Republicans to mandate stricter federal voting requirements, specifically focusing on voter identification and documentary proof of citizenship.
The legislative focus has now shifted to the upper chamber, with proponents of the bill ramping up pressure on Senate Majority Leader John Thune to prioritize the measure. Supporters argue that with the House aligned, Thune’s cooperation is the final hurdle required to send the bill to President Donald Trump’s desk. The messaging from the bill’s advocates is stark, framing the legislation as a paramount priority for the administration’s agenda.
The SAVE Act, if enacted, would require individuals to provide specific documentary proof of U.S. citizenship—such as a passport, birth certificate, or Real ID—when registering to vote in federal elections. Currently, under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (often referred to as “Motor Voter”), applicants generally sign a sworn statement attesting to their citizenship under penalty of perjury, but are not always required to present physical documentation at the time of registration. Proponents argue that this system is vulnerable to exploitation and that stricter verification is necessary to prevent non-citizens from participating in elections.
However, the legislation faces significant objections from voting rights groups and Democratic legislators. Critics contend that the bill attempts to solve a non-existent problem, citing multiple studies showing that non-citizen voting in federal elections is statistically negligible and already illegal under current federal law.
Furthermore, opponents argue that the strict documentation requirements could inadvertently disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters. Concerns have been raised that elderly citizens, students, and low-income individuals—who may not have ready access to birth certificates or passports—would face undue burdens in exercising their right to vote. Legal experts and election officials have also expressed concern regarding the administrative and financial challenges states would face in implementing such a rapid overhaul of registration systems.
As Speaker Johnson solidifies his stance, the political spotlight remains on Senator Thune to determine whether the Senate will take up the controversial measure or if it will face a legislative bottleneck.
