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By Joe Edwards
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President Donald Trump has suggested no deal should be cut with Democrats “unless, and until, they vote with Republicans to pass” voting reform bill the SAVE America Act.
Why It Matters
The bill, which has passed the House, would reshape federal election rules by requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification to vote in elections.
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The bill has drawn criticism from from Democrats, who argue it would restrict Americans’ access to voting, though polling indicates support for the move among Americans.
What To Know
The legislation "is far more important than anything else we are doing in the Senate," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Sunday.
The president said a $5-billion cut to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) "is unacceptable to me and the American people - UNLESS it includes their approval of Voter I.D., (with picture!), Citizenship to Vote, No Mail-In Voting (with exceptions), All Paper Ballots.” restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sports, and a ban on gender‑affirming medical care for minors.
Senate Democrats voted on Saturday to defeat a Republican-sponsored amendment to the bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from women’s sports was defeated.
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“Put it all together, and also, let [Senate Majority Leader John] Thune clearly identify those few ‘Republicans’ that are Voting against AMERICA. They will never be elected again! In other words, lump everything together as one, and VOTE!!! Kill the Filibuster, and stay in D.C. for Easter, if necessary,” Trump added.
Newsweek contacted the White House and the Democratic Party via email on Monday for comment.
Recent polling indicates popular support among Americans for some of the legislation’s core provisions.
A Harvard Harris survey published in early March found that 58 percent of voters believe some level of voter fraud exists in U.S. elections, a view held most strongly by Republicans (77 percent) and Independents (58 percent), even as 60 percent say elections are generally secure.
The same poll also found that found that 85 percent of voters believe only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote, with broad bipartisan support. Overall backing for the SAVE America Act stood at 71 percent—including majorities of Republicans and Independents—with 54 percent prioritizing voter fraud prevention over access concerns.
Large shares of voters also supported specific provisions such as proof of citizenship, voter ID requirements, removing non-citizens from voter rolls, and sharing redacted voter data with the Department of Homeland Security. The poll surveyed 1,999 registered voters on February 25-26.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said on Truth Social previously: “The Save America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, wrote on X, Thursday: "As we have all week, Democrats will continue to hold the floor to block the Republican voter suppression SAVE Act.
"And as I’ve said all week: We will not let this bill pass under any circumstances, no matter how long it takes."
Update, 3/23/26, 6:50 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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