On July 21, 2026, Speaker Mike Johnson's proposal to advance the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act passed a key hurdle in the House. The legislation, which is supported by former President Donald Trump, aims to implement federal voter ID requirements and a proof of citizenship mandate in the voter registration process. While the bill has passed the House, it faces challenges in the Senate, where Democratic votes are needed to overcome a filibuster.
To bypass the need for Democratic support, House Republicans plan to include elements of the SAVE Act in a larger budget reconciliation bill, which allows for certain fiscal policies to be passed with a simple majority. This reconciliation process is intended to fund election integrity efforts, military funding, and aid for farmers, totaling an estimated $95 billion in new federal spending over the next decade.
The House Rules Committee's approval of the bill paves the way for a chamber-wide vote, expected to take place Tuesday afternoon, with a final vote scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. Democrats have criticized the SAVE Act, claiming it aims to suppress voter participation, while Republicans argue it will enhance election security.