Discussion on the SAVE America Act
On a recent episode of The View, host Whoopi Goldberg expressed concern over the SAVE America Act, arguing that it may lead to a voting landscape where “no one wants” a voter ID law. She even suggested that if this bill becomes law, “half” of Americans might find themselves unable to cast their votes.
The discussion kicked off when Goldberg mentioned President Trump’s choice to halt the signing of a housing bill, as he pushes Congress to support the SAVE America Act. This legislation, which includes various election reforms like voter ID requirements, has already been approved by the House and is now in the Senate, where it’s facing challenges primarily from some Republican senators on the left side of the spectrum.
Goldberg indicated that Trump wants this legislation signed but noted, somewhat confusingly, that there seems to be hesitance from others to do so. This raises a question about her understanding of the signing process since it’s the president’s role to sign bills—not someone else. Her statement about “no one wants to sign this bill” lacks clarity, making it tough to pinpoint who exactly she refers to.
Meanwhile, her co-hosts critiqued the SAVE America Act vehemently, labeling it as an act of voter “suppression.” Farrah Griffin contended that the Act “doesn’t give people the right to vote,” while Goldberg remarked that it mandates voters to present identification at polling places, asserting, “No one wants that.” Joy Behar echoed this sentiment, stating, “Nobody wants this.”
However, it’s noteworthy that the SAVE America Act has already passed in the House. The delay in the Senate seems more about political maneuvering among certain Republican senators rather than public opposition to the bill. In fact, many people are hopeful that it will successfully reach the president to be signed. Goldberg’s assertion that no one supports the legislation doesn’t align with reality.
In a related point, polling data indicates that around 80 percent of Americans actually back the core principles of voter ID requirements included in the SAVE America Act.
Additionally, Behar commented on the irony of the bill’s title, claiming, “It’s called the ‘SAVE America Act,’ but ironically, it’s because it’s not actually saving what’s behind him. It’s saving the person behind Donald Trump.”
Both Behar and Griffin further alleged that the law would “suppress the vote” to the point of potentially disenfranchising half of the American population.
