House, Senate Republicans revive Trump-backed push to crack down on noncitizen voting

Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are making a renewed push to crack down on noncitizen voting in federal elections. Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee are reintroducing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring that only citizens can vote in federal elections.

The bill requires states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity in person when registering an individual to vote. It also mandates states to establish a program to remove noncitizens from the voter rolls and allows citizens to bring suits against officials who fail to uphold the law.

Last year, the bill passed in the House with bipartisan support, but it stalled in the Senate. Democrats in the Senate passed a spending bill without including the SAVE Act, leading to President Biden promising to veto the bill. However, with Republicans now controlling the Senate and soon the White House, there is renewed hope for the bill’s success.

The importance of the SAVE Act has grown among Republicans in light of the recent surge of migrants into the U.S. during the Biden administration. Additionally, several states have identified thousands of noncitizens on their voter rolls, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement mechanisms.

Rep. Roy emphasized that American elections belong to American citizens and that public confidence in the integrity of elections is crucial for the republic. He stressed the need for concrete enforcement mechanisms to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections.

Sen. Lee echoed these sentiments, stating that public trust in election integrity is essential for the legitimacy of democratic institutions. He emphasized that the SAVE Act gives states the ability to prevent illegal voter registration and safeguard the ballot box from foreign election interference.

The bill has garnered support from various groups, including the Only Citizens Vote Coalition, Tea Party Patriots Action, and the Immigration Accountability Project. With 59 co-sponsors in the House, the bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate next week.

As Congress tackles immigration-related issues, the SAVE Act stands out as a top priority. The bill’s reintroduction signals a commitment to upholding the integrity of American elections and ensuring that only citizens have the right to vote.

In conclusion, the SAVE Act represents a bipartisan effort to address noncitizen voting in federal elections and strengthen election integrity. With support from key lawmakers and advocacy groups, the bill aims to protect the sanctity of American elections and uphold the principle of American citizens deciding their elections.