Following the narrow passage in the House of the ‘SAVE America Act’ representatives sent out statements of support. The act passed the House with 220 votes for yes, 208 votes for no, and five members not voting.
SAVE stands for Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, and on congress.gov the site says the bill in summary requires voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship. If passed, it would require every state to take steps to create a program. It also contains multiple criminal penalties for those who register voters it says “fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.”
Illinois Republican Congresswoman Mary Miller (IL-15) voted for the act.
“Congress has a constitutional responsibility to secure our elections and ensure the voices of American voters are protected. That’s why I was proud to vote to pass the SAVE America Act,” Miller said. “This bill ensures that only U.S. citizens can register and vote in federal elections. Over 80 percent of Americans support voter ID, including a majority of Democrats. Today, House Republicans delivered on that demand.”
Indiana Republican Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released a statement as well in support of the legislation.
“I voted for the SAVE America Act to secure our elections by ensuring only American citizens vote in our federal elections. Upholding the integrity of our elections is vital to our great republic and preserving the institutions that make our nation the freest, most prosperous country in the world,” Baird said. “This bill comes after the Biden Administration let over 10 million illegal immigrants into our country. Many Democrat-run states have created opportunities where illegal immigrants could illegally register to vote. In some cases, non-citizens can vote in local elections. A large majority of Americans support voter ID requirements to vote. This legislation should not be partisan. This is simply a common-sense measure to strengthen our election integrity and protect the will of the American people.”
The legislation if passed would require voters in the United States to show proof of citizenship to register to vote as well as an ID at the voting polls.
Many proponents say this act would impact millions of eligible voters with the requirements.
State Attorney General Kwame Raoul joined a coalition of 18 other states in opposing the legislation in March of 2025.
“I am urging congressional leadership to oppose the SAVE Act and maintain accessible voting rights for all eligible Americans. We should focus efforts on encouraging more Americans to participate in the democratic process. This measure does the opposite, instead of disenfranchising legitimate voters,” Raoul said in a letter addressing the issue in March. “I am proud to join other attorneys general to protect voters’ rights and ensure that eligible voters are not met with obstacles when they attempt to exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
Key obstacles, Raoul and others say, would be requiring expensive documentation, while also eliminating online voter registration in as many as 42 states. And, for married women, birth certificates are not going to match their current names.
And proponents say it would disenfranchise active-duty members who more than likely cannot return to their local election offices while in the service.