Senate Delays Action on SAVE Act
The Senate has not moved forward on the SAVE Act, despite ongoing pressure from the Republican Study Committee (RSC) for action. The bill, which was twice passed by the House, is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate.
Originally brought forth by Texas Representative Chip Roy, the SAVE Act mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voting in federal elections.
Many RSC members are vocal about their frustration, asserting that “the Senate has to do its job.” RSC Chairman August Pflueger emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Voting in American elections is a right, and the House has already done its part.” With a year into the 119th Congress, he noted that the public is still waiting for the Senate to fulfill its responsibilities.
“This is a straightforward reform that enjoys widespread public backing,” Roy remarked. He urged Senate Republicans to rally for a vote, suggesting that if Democrats resort to a filibuster, they would need to justify why they support non-citizen voting—a stance he believes will not resonate well with the American public.
Supporters, including several fellow Republicans from various states, have joined Roy and Pflueger in urging action on the bill, emphasizing that House Republicans are unified in their stance. They further reiterated that American elections should be free from foreign interference.
As the debate continues, some members voiced their concerns regarding opposing views. For instance, Representative Burgess Owens pointed out that claims about voter ID being racially discriminatory assume that minority individuals cannot obtain identification—a notion he called insulting and based on a so-called “soft bias of low expectations.”
Pflueger reiterated that the delay in Senate action only prolongs the introduction of this essential protection. He posed a challenge to Democratic senators, questioning whether they believe elections should be executed fairly and legally, hinting that the answer should evidently be to advance the bill.
