SAVE Act: Schumer Urged By GOP to Address Voter Citizenship Bill in Senate Ahead Of 2024 Poll

Republicans are urging Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to address a key legislative proposal that would mandate states to verify proof of citizenship for voting in federal elections ahead of Presidential polls.

They argue the bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, is crucial for maintaining election integrity in the upcoming November elections. Despite these urgings, the bill has stalled in the Senate.

Key Figures and Statements

Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., co-chair of the House Election Integrity Caucus, emphasized the importance of the SAVE Act during a conversation with Fox News Digital at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis. Tenney described election integrity as the “premiere issue” of the 2024 election cycle.

She highlighted that only five Democrats supported the SAVE Act, introduced by Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.

This bill, yet to be allowed in Senate by Schumer, seeks to require states to verify citizenship in person during voter registration and remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls.

“Everyone should be talking about the SAVE Act and the fact that 198 Democrats voted for non-citizen voting in our elections,” Tenney stated.

She added, “Nothing interferes more with our elections and our democratic process than allowing people who have not undertaken the responsibilities of citizenship but are receiving its benefits. One citizen, one vote.”

Schumer’s Inaction Criticized

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., also criticized Schumer for not bringing the bill to a Senate vote.

He noted the significant number of illegal border crossings during the Biden administration, including over 10 million known encounters and an estimated 2 million “got-a-ways” who evaded Border Patrol.

“We’ve been urging Chuck Schumer to take up a lot of Republican legislation over the 118th Congress. For example, H.R.2, the Secure the Border Act, which would have helped secure our border and potentially prevented millions of illegal entries,” D’Esposito said. “That bill, like the SAVE Act, is sitting on Schumer’s desk collecting dust.”

Democratic Opposition and Biden’s Stance

President Biden’s recent announcement of his decision not to seek a second term, endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris instead, has added to the political scramble.

As Harris begins her campaign, the election integrity bill has taken a back seat.

Tenney urged Schumer to prioritize the SAVE Act, stating, “If Schumer truly cares about democracy and the rule of law, he should urge every Democrat to vote for the SAVE Act in the Senate.”

Schumer’s recent call for Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., to resign after a federal corruption conviction might shift the Senate’s power balance, potentially paving the way for the SAVE Act’s consideration.

“That could tip the balance in the Senate and make Schumer realize that some vulnerable Democrats might not want to vote against the SAVE Act,” Tenney suggested.

President Biden has promised to veto the SAVE Act if it passes.

Tenney argued that such a veto would undermine the election of Democrats, stating, “If you undermine the votes of American citizens, you are undermining our system of government.”

Republican Concerns Over Executive Order

In 2021, Biden signed Executive Order 14019, which aimed to promote voting access.

However, Republicans argue that the order’s broad interpretation of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 effectively mobilizes federal agencies as voter registration sites.

“That executive order essentially turns federal agencies into vote collection sites,” Tenney claimed, calling it a violation of the Hatch Act, which prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activities.

Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen echoed these concerns, noting that state agencies receiving federal funding must send voter registration information without verifying citizenship.

“This federalizes the entire government apparatus to act as voter registration agencies, which I believe should be the states’ responsibility,” Allen said. “Voter file maintenance is the foundation of election integrity.”

Ongoing Efforts and GOP Goals

Allen recounted efforts to obtain data from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure non-citizens are not on voter rolls.

“We are pushing to access this taxpayer-funded data to maintain accurate voter files. Only American citizens should vote in our elections,” Allen stressed.

At the convention, Allen discussed the SAVE Act with House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging continued efforts. “The fact that 198 Democrats voted against giving us the tools to verify citizenship is baffling,” Allen said.

“This is why we need Trump back in the White House and a GOP majority in both the Senate and House.”

Also Read: Vivek Ramaswamy: Democratic Machine, Not Harris, Is GOP’s Greatest Threat in 2024