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By Sophie Clark
Live News Reporter
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Four Democratic Representatives broke party ranks on Thursday to help pass a bill requiring in-person proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote in federal elections.
The Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act was approved on a 220-208 vote in the U.S. House and will now move to the Senate, where it would require seven Democrats to join Republicans.
Why It Matters
Proponents argue it ensures non-citizens do not vote in federal elections, chiming with President Donald Trump's often-repeated yet baseless claims of widespread voter fraud.
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Critics argue it risks disenfranchising potentially millions of Americans who do not have a passport, access to their birth certificate or will simply not remember the law change.
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What To Know
The Republican bill, sponsored by Texas Representative Chip Roy, would help codify an executive order issued by President Trump in March.
Critics fear the move will disenfranchise troops overseas, Native Americans, women whose married name does not match their birth certificate, and disabled people who cannot physically get to a voter registration location to show their proof.
The following four Democrats voted to pass the bill through Congress:
- Jared Golden, ME
- Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, WA
- Henry Cuellar, TX
- Ed Case, HI
Golden said on X, formerly Twitter, following his vote: "There are a lot of misleading claims out there about the SAVE Act. Let me set the record straight: I voted for the SAVE Act for the simple reason that American elections are for Americans. Requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote is common sense."
Republicans blocked an amendment from Representative Maxine Dexter which would require studies and certification to ensure that the bill does not impact married women before it is passed into law.
In a statement sent to Newsweek, Representative Dexter said: "That should tell you everything you need to know about their intention."
However Representative Golden said on social media said the bill "requires state leaders to establish protocols to allow citizens to register even if there are discrepancies in documents, such as name changes."
Analysts suggest non-citizen voting is very rare. In 2024 Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger found 20 noncitizens on Georgia's voter rolls out of Georgia's 8.4 million registered voters—0.00024 percent of the state's voter list. All 20 were removed before they had a chance to vote.
Harsh penalties already exist for non-citizens who attempt to vote, including jail time and deportation.
What People Are Saying
Representative Chip Roy said: "Despite the ridiculous attacks and purposeful misinformation spread about the bill, I am pleased to see that the House of Representatives once again passed the SAVE Act on a bipartisan basis to ensure only U.S. citizens vote in federal elections."
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has called the bill "noxious" in a statement on Friday, adding: "Let me be clear, under my Leadership Senate Democrats will make sure this power grab does not pass the Senate."
Representative Joe Morelle: "My Republican colleagues crafted and passed one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history. There's no doubt that women, military members, and people of color will be disproportionately impacted. The fight to stop this bill – to protect Americans' sacred right to vote – is not over. I will do everything in my power to ensure every eligible American has access to the ballot box."
Representative Maxine Dexter told *Newsweek: "*The SAVE Act is an anti-woman, anti-democracy piece of legislation. I introduced an amendment to protect eligible women from being kicked off the voter rolls. Republicans blocked it. That should tell you everything you need to know about their intention. This is a betrayal of their mothers, sisters, daughters—and every woman who dares to participate in our democracy. I'll fight back with every single tool at my disposal."
What Happens Next
The SAVE Act will now move to the U.S. Senate for a debate and vote. The SAVE Act also passed the House in 2024, but failed when it reached the Senate.
The legislation needs 60 votes for it to pass. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority.
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