The SAVE Act: What You Need to Know
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a key piece of legislation backed by MAGA Republicans.
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The bill, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, seeks to mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration. While non-citizen voting is already illegal, this bill is being pushed as a “necessary” measure to protect election integrity.
What’s the Controversy?
Critics argue that the SAVE Act is unnecessary because voting in federal elections is already restricted to U.S. citizens. Under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, non-citizens face severe penalties if they attempt to vote.
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So, why is the GOP pushing for this bill now? Many view it as a political tool to stir doubts about election integrity ahead of 2024.
Speaker Mike Johnson Under Pressure
House Speaker Mike Johnson, facing mounting pressure from his party’s far-right faction, is considering attaching the SAVE Act to a government funding bill.
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The House Freedom Caucus, led by hardliners like Rep. Chip Roy, is pushing for this move as a way to advance their voter integrity agenda, despite the looming risk of a government shutdown.
Trump’s Influence on the Shutdown Debate
Former President Donald Trump has been a vocal advocate for the SAVE Act, even holding a press conference with Speaker Johnson at Mar-a-Lago in the spring to promote the bill.
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Trump’s words, “I would shut down the government in a heartbeat if they don’t get it,” show how deeply entrenched his influence is in the current Republican strategy.
Senate Democrats Prepare to Push Back
While the bill may find support in the Republican-led House, it’s a non-starter for Democrats in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly privately expressed skepticism about attaching the SAVE Act to the spending package.
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Democrats, on the other hand, are ready to block any effort to include the bill, warning it would only harm the electoral process by making it harder for eligible citizens to vote.
Why This Could Lead to a Shutdown
House Republicans are at an impasse: either they pass a clean stopgap bill to keep the government funded or they risk a shutdown by tying the SAVE Act to the funding measure.
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With a government shutdown looming, the debate has taken on new urgency, as it could halt essential services and create widespread economic consequences just ahead of the November election.
Election Denialism in Play
Many view the SAVE Act as part of a broader Republican effort to revive election denialism, similar to the tactics used after the 2020 election.
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By raising fears of non-citizen voting—a problem that already has legal protections—the GOP is laying the groundwork for potential challenges to the 2024 election results, especially if Trump loses again.
Immigration and Voter Fraud: A Key Campaign Issue
Immigration has long been a cornerstone of conservative campaigns, and the SAVE Act is the latest effort to link immigration with voter fraud.
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Elon Musk has even weighed in, amplifying concerns about non-citizens voting, despite the lack of evidence.
Power Behind the Shutdown Threat
The House Freedom Caucus has been one of the most vocal groups in pushing for the SAVE Act to be attached to the funding bill.
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However, Republicans are wary of the political fallout, with many expressing concerns that the strategy could backfire and lead to a government shutdown.
A High-Stakes Gamble
Speaker Mike Johnson faces a critical decision: does he cave to the hardliners and risk a shutdown, or does he steer clear of the SAVE Act to pass a clean funding bill?
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His leadership and decision-making in the next few weeks could determine whether he maintains the support of his party or faces internal rebellion from the more moderate wing of the GOP.
The Clock Is Ticking
With just weeks to go before the government runs out of funding, the pressure is on for Congress to find a solution.
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The showdown over the SAVE Act is far from over, but they are running out of time.
