House Republicans voted once again to pass a bill that would require individuals to show proof of U.S. citizenship in order to vote in federal elections a move they say is aimed at protecting election integrity but which critics argue is unnecessary and potentially harmful.
In a 220-208 vote, the bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act cleared the House, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in support. Those Democrats included Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington.
The bill would mandate documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections and impose new requirements on states to regularly purge voter rolls. Supporters say the legislation is meant to prevent illegal voting, especially by non-citizens a concern frequently raised by Republican lawmakers and former President Trump. However, studies and state-level data continue to show that non-citizen voting in federal elections is virtually nonexistent.
Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, one of the bill’s lead sponsors, called the legislation a defense of the Constitution and a way to restore public confidence in the electoral system. He also acknowledged the involvement of Cleta Mitchell, a conservative attorney who aided Trump’s post-2020 election legal efforts, in helping draft the bill.
“There is nothing more sacred than Americans having faith that their votes count and are not being diluted,” Roy said during debate. “This legislation is about securing that trust.”
While the bill passed the House, it faces steep odds in the Democratic-led Senate and has drawn sharp criticism from voting rights advocates and many Democrats. They argue the bill targets a problem that doesn’t exist and would, in practice, make it harder for eligible voters particularly the elderly, low-income Americans, and naturalized citizens to participate in elections.
“It’s already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections. This bill is a solution in search of a problem,” one Democratic lawmaker said. “What it really does is create hurdles for legitimate voters who may not have easy access to documents like a passport or birth certificate.”
Still, the bill aligns with a broader push by Trump and his allies to tighten election laws ahead of the 2026 midterms. It also serves as a signal to the Republican base that the party remains committed to prioritizing election security even as opponents warn the changes could lead to disenfranchisement and lawsuits.
As the bill moves to the Senate, the debate is sure to continue. For now, House Republicans can claim a symbolic victory in advancing a core pillar of their election reform agenda.