WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Republican-controlled House passed a sweeping elections bill on Wednesday. The SAVE America Act tightens voter registration standards but Democrats are calling it “Jim Crow 2.0″. Just one Democrat voted with House Republicans to advance the measure.
“Ensuring the integrity of elections is an essential issue,” said Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R- LA) following the passage of the bill. “It’s essential to maintaining our constitutional republic, and everybody in this country seems to understand and agree to that.”
The legislation does a couple of things, like requires voters to present proof of citizenship to register and eliminates mail-only voter registrations.
“And requires a photo ID to vote,” said Rep. Dan Meuser (R- PA). “85 percent of America agrees with that.”
According to a 2025 Pew Research Center poll, 83 percent of people polled support requiring all voters to show government issued photo ID.
“First of all, it is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D- MA). “Period. Full stop.”
Democrats are blasting this bill, saying the bill is being driven by the President and MAGA Republicans on conspiracy theories that our elections can’t be trusted.
“And what we’re debating in response to those lies is whether we’re gonna require Americans to go down to their county clerk to take the train to city hall or drive down the registrar office and jump through bureaucratic hoops just to register to vote,” said Rep. McGovern. “Who asked for more red tape? Did Jim Crow call?”
“If the SAVE Act were to become law, online registration, registration by mail and registration drives would become a thing of the past,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D- NY). “If you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who don’t have access to their birth certificate or a passport, the SAVE Act could make it impossible for you to participate in elections.”
“This is just an outrageous piece of legislation that’s turning the clock back 100 years,” added Sen. Schumer.
The bill heads to the Senate. It’s unclear if it will get enough support to pass the chamber.
