Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (H.R. 22)

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (H.R. 22)

Title: Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE act)

Brief Description: The SAVE Act is a federal bill that has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action. It would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

Sponsors:

Lead Sponsors - Rep. Chip Roy

Cosponsors - Andrew Garbarino, Nicole Malliotakis, Brad Finstad, Andrew Clyde, Clay Higgins, Diana Harshbarger, Nancy Mace, Kat Cammack, Eric Burlison, Andrew Ogles

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Passed House 4/10/25

Is still in senate

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

Senate Majority Report:

Is still being discussed in the senate

House Majority report:

Representatives - 216 yes

Democrats - 4 yes

Background:

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) act is a proposed bill to change how people register to vote for federal elections by making them show proof of U.S. citizenship. It would try to make voter registration rules stricter. But it has also brought troubles for it getting past the Senate and has made discussion between the 2 political parties.

The SAVE act was first introduced in the House of Representatives, and it was passed on to the senate with a 220-208 vote on 4/10/25. Since then, it has stayed stuck in the senate due to it not being brought out of its committee or brought to a final vote for it to become law which has to happen for the bill to become law.

The Republican side (main supporter of the bill) argues that non-U.S. citizens illegally registering to vote shouldn’t be looked over, even though it rarely happens, but with possible mistakes that might allow non-U.S. citizens to vote, they say that’s another reason for the bill to be passed.

The Democratic side however says that enough is already being done since non-U.S. citizens are already illegal and that documented cases are extremely rare and it would be solving a problem that’s not really there. But it could also stop eligible citizens from voting who just don’t have documentation on them.

Summary of Bill:

The Saves Act is intended to make sure non-U.S. citizens aren’t able to vote for federal elections by making proof of citizenship necessary when registering to vote. The bill has been able to pass the House of Representatives, but it has stayed stuck in the senate due to not enough support of the bill and the discussion it has brought between the 2 parties.