House passes SAVE America Act: Citizenship proof bill heads to Senate

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice

In a tight 218–213 vote Wednesday, the House approved the SAVE America Act and sent it on to the Senate.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank (CO-05) voted in favor of H.R. 7296, the SAVE America Act.

“American elections are reserved for American citizens only,” Crank said after the vote. “The majority of American people want secure elections, and the SAVE America Act will require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections.”

The bill makes changes to the 1993 federal voter registration law, adding a requirement that applicants prove they are U.S. citizens. Anyone registering for a federal election would need to provide documentary proof of citizenship.

The bill also lays out what counts as proof of citizenship. A REAL ID that reflects citizenship status would qualify, as would a U.S. passport or naturalization papers.

The bill would establish a voter ID requirement for federal elections. Anyone voting in person would have to show photo identification. Those casting mail ballots would submit a copy of that ID both when requesting an absentee ballot and when returning it.

“Despite attempts from the Left to paint this bill as a restriction to voters, Americans use an ID every day—to drive a car, air travel, and more,” Crank said. “This shouldn’t be controversial.”

By Wednesday night, the cosponsor list was already up to 108 names. Rep. Lauren Boebert’s was on it.

National media orgs report that every Republican cast a yes vote and only one Democrat joined them, Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar.

Noncitizen voting is illegal and rare, say Democrats who oppose the bill. And that added requirements would disenfranchise some voters. Supporters have repeatedly argued that the bill acts as a safeguard that protects citizens’ votes and sets federal voter ID standards. 

Sixty votes would be needed in the Senate to break a filibuster and move the bill forward, and Majority Leader Thune has said Republicans currently do not have the numbers to change that rule.