Republican Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is reportedly planning to combine election security measures with a short-term spending bill in order to force requirements for voters’s proof of citizenship through the House.
However, the move is likely to create a standoff with Democrats when the House returns to session next week.
Johnson released a document earlier this year that warned of a National Voter Registration Act “loophole.”
He cited evidence of non-citizens on voter rolls in various states.
To protect America’s elections from non-citizen voting, Republicans have been pushing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act.
The SAVE Act includes requirements that voters must be able to prove they are American citizens when registering to vote.
However, Democrats have been pushing back against the legislation.
Many note that the flood of illegal aliens over the Southern Border under the Biden-Harris administration are viewed as future Democrat voters.
Punchbowl News reported that Johnson and other Republicans are preparing to combine an extension to government funding through March 2025 with the SAVE Act.
Aside from proof of citizenship for voting, the SAVE Act also pushes states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.
It already passed the GOP-led House in July with the help of a handful of Democrats.
However, the Democrat-controlled Senate has not taken up the bill since then.
The Biden-Harris admin has also formally declared its opposition to it.
The House lawmaker who introduced the legislation, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), reacted to the Punchbowl News report in a post on X.
“Recall – the ‘SAVE’ Act (I introduced it – HR8281) passed with 5 Democrats voting for it (and others privately wanting to),” Roy said.
“If they vote ‘no’ with it attached to a funding bill that funds government to March – it’s pure politics.”
Recall – the “SAVE” Act (I introduced it – HR8281) passed with 5 Democrats voting for it (and others privately wanting to). If they vote “no” with it attached to a funding bill that funds government to March – it’s pure politics. https://t.co/TQrZDZZBW4
— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) September 2, 2024
President Donald Trump has urged Republicans to pass the SAVE Act.
In addition, the House Freedom Caucus, a group of conservatives that includes Roy, released a statement in August calling for the SAVE Act to be added to any short-term spending measure that may emerge if lawmakers are unable to pass individual appropriations bills.
Congress has until the end of September to pass legislation to fund the various arms of the federal government or face the prospect of a shutdown.
Democrats may support passing another continuing resolution, but the majority of them would likely not abide by the SAVE Act being attached to it.
Some have argued the legislation is unnecessary and would create an undue burden on legitimate voters.
Still, the GOP seems prepared for a discussion.
In response to the Punchbowl News report, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) posted to X:
“Securing our elections from foreign interference with the SAVE Act is a top priority—and Democrats should have to explain to the American people why they are against it.”
Excellent. Securing our elections from foreign interference with the SAVE Act is a top priority—and Democrats should have to explain to the American people why they are against it. https://t.co/YJMrEDVHWN
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) September 2, 2024
READ MORE – DNC Officially Endorses Radical Plan to Offer Citizenship to Illegal Aliens
