House approves the SAVE America Act as GOP makes election bill push

Washington — The House on Wednesday approved the SAVE America Act, which would implement strict new requirements for registering to vote and casting ballots — moves that Democrats have warned would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters. In a 218 to 213 vote, one Democrat voted with all Republicans in favor of the bill. Rep. Henry Cueller of Texas was the lone Democrat to support it. The legislation now goes to the Senate, where the path forward is uncertain. The SAVE America Act would require documentation that shows proof of citizenship, like a passport or a birth certificate, to register to vote in federal elections. It would also implement photo ID requirements for voting itself, another GOP priority. The bill is the latest iteration of a measure House Republicans have sought to pass through both chambers for several years. Republicans have lauded the measure as a reasonable way to prevent noncitizens from casting ballots, though instances of noncitizens voting are exceedingly rare. "Common-sense legislation to just ensure that American citizens decide American elections — it really is that simple," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Tuesday. Johnson pointed to polling that shows high levels of support for showing proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote. An October 2024 poll from Gallup found that 83% of Americans back a policy to require people who are registering to vote for the first time to provide proof of citizenship. …