House Passes SAVE Act Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote, Setting Up Senate Fight

The House of Representatives has approved the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, legislation requiring documentary proof of US citizenship—such as a passport or birth certificate—for federal voter registration. The bill, a priority for President Trump, passed mainly along party lines with a vote of 218 to 213. Only one Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, supported it alongside Republicans.

Republicans argue that the bill is necessary to prevent non-citizens from voting and to strengthen election integrity, claiming current laws are inadequate. The legislation also introduces a nationwide photo ID requirement for voting, explicitly excluding student IDs. Supporters say it enshrines sensible safeguards.

Opponents warn that the bill could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. Voting rights advocates estimate over 20 million US citizens lack immediate access to birth certificates or passports, a group that disproportionately includes low-income individuals, the elderly, and voters of colour. Democrats criticised the measure as voter suppression, with Representative Jim McGovern stating that the aim is “to rig the next election.”

The bill faces considerable obstacles in the Senate. Although Republicans hold the majority, the legislation is expected to lack the 60 votes needed to break a filibuster. Some Republicans, including Senator Lisa Murkowski, have expressed opposition, citing constitutional authority delegated to states and the challenges of implementing new mandates during an active election cycle. State election officials have raised concerns about immediate implementation, privacy risks from sharing voter data with the Department of Homeland Security, and the lack of federal funding to support the new rules.