The conservative push for more stringent proof-of-citizenship requirements for voting could jeopardize efforts to avert a government shutdown next month. Lawmakers across the political spectrum agree that a continuing resolution (CR) is essential to keep the government operational beyond September 30.
However, there is growing pressure from House conservatives to use this must-pass legislation as a vehicle for advancing a contentious bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This proposed measure aims to restrict voting rights to U.S. citizens by enforcing proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration and purging noncitizens from voter rolls. This move is expected to clash with the Democratic-majority Senate, which is likely to reject it.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) Voting Bill
The House Freedom Caucus has formally urged Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to incorporate the SAVE Act into the funding legislation. This initiative has gained traction among the GOP’s more conservative members and high-profile figures like tech billionaire Elon Musk, reflecting the party’s focus on immigration as a pivotal campaign issue.
Johnson has not ruled out the possibility, stating that discussions are ongoing about whether to include the SAVE Act in the CR. He emphasized its importance, noting widespread GOP concern over election integrity.
Conversely, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and other Republican leaders have privately expressed reservations about attaching the bill to the CR, fearing it could derail government funding negotiations.
The SAVE Act, which passed the House in a largely partisan vote earlier this summer, faces strong opposition from Democrats and the Biden administration, who argue it could disenfranchise eligible voters. Despite this, proponents like Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) view it as a strategic tool to secure extended government funding and avoid a massive omnibus bill at the end of the year.
There is skepticism among some Republicans about attaching such a contentious policy to a CR, given its potential impact on funding discussions. With internal divisions over budget strategies and concerns about extending funding deadlines into the next year, GOP leaders face a complex decision regarding the integration of the SAVE Act into the upcoming CR.
The outcome for the SAVE Act remains uncertain, with ongoing debate over whether it will pass in the House and how it will be received by the Senate.
