Securing a major victory for election integrity despite liberal outcry, House Republicans voted for a much-needed massive bill.
The House successfully passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which requires citizens to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote, with a 220-208 vote.
Championed by President Donald Trump himself, the landmark legislation aims to protect America’s elections from foreign interference and strengthen public confidence.
The SAVE Act will require Americans to provide documentary proof of citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—when registering to vote in federal elections.
This measure builds upon President Trump’s executive order implementing similar requirements and represents a significant step toward ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in American elections.
“Election integrity is everything,” Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) said. “It’s up to us to do the best that we can to make sure that in the future, we have free and fair elections for everyone in this country.”
Republicans have long fought for measures to protect voter rolls from potential non-citizen registration despite fierce opposition from Democrats who claim the bill would disenfranchise legitimate voters.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), one of the bill’s champions, explained the urgent need for this legislation amid the current border crisis.
“It’s a growing and increasing problem,” Roy said before the vote. “We just want to get in front of it now.”
While the bill passed largely along party lines, four Democrats crossed the aisle to support the measure, recognizing the importance of protecting America’s elections from potential fraud.
The legislation now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune is listed as a cosponsor, signaling strong Republican support in the upper chamber.
Democrats have pushed back on the bill with claims that it would create barriers for legitimate voters, particularly in rural areas and among minorities.
Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) directly addressed these arguments on the House floor:
“This past week and today, all we hear are the Democrats sharing their concerns that rural Americans, women and people of color are not capable of getting an ID. This is insulting, condescending and an untrue argument. You need an ID for most everything else in daily life.”
The SAVE Act fulfills President Trump’s campaign promise to secure America’s elections.
It builds upon ongoing state-level initiatives, including in Texas, where a similar proof-of-citizenship requirement is currently undergoing legislative review.
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) emphasized that the bill would “restore Americans’ confidence in our elections,” addressing widespread concerns about election integrity that have persisted since the controversial 2020 election.
The legislation’s success marks a significant win for the America First agenda and demonstrates Republicans’ commitment to protecting the sanctity of the ballot box.
While the path through the Senate may face challenges due to the narrow Republican majority, the SAVE Act represents a crucial step toward ensuring that American elections remain in the hands of American citizens only.
