Senate Republicans Weigh SAVE Act as Filibuster Debate Intensifies

A bill requiring proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections appears to have majority support in the Senate after clearing the House, but the debate over how — and whether — to get it across the finish line is proving nearly as contentious as the legislation itself.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, is backed by Republicans and the Trump administration on the grounds that it would strengthen the integrity of federal elections by ensuring that only citizens can register to vote (which is already true). In reality, the SAVE Act would mostly affect married women who have changed their last names, which would mean millions of women could lose the right to vote.

The scope of the problem the bill addresses is far less than the problems it would create. Federal law already prohibits noncitizen voting in federal elections, and prosecutions — while real — involve relatively small numbers. Researchers and officials have found no evidence of widespread illegal voting by noncitizens in national elections, though some argue the true scale of undetected violations is unknowable.

Additionally, a further threat to the strength of our institutions lies in the plan to eliminate the Senate filibuster to pass the bill with a simple majority. Some members of the Republican caucus have pushed for this approach, but others have resisted, noting that the 60-vote threshold has historically protected minority-party interests regardless of which party holds the majority. Critics of abolishing the filibuster argue the long-term institutional cost outweighs the near-term policy gain. The bill's reliance on REAL ID-compliant documents for citizenship verification has also drawn criticism, as five states do not currently require REAL ID.