GOP Lawmakers Claim Democrats Look to ‘Disenfranchise Voters’ by Blocking SAVE America Act

Republican lawmakers on Wednesday accused Democrats of being “anti-American” and wanting to “disenfranchise” American voters by “allowing non-citizens to vote.”

Their remarks come after Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, became the sole House Democrat to vote in favor of legislation that would require voters to provide proof of citizenship and voter identification before casting a ballot.

Democrats have described the voter integrity legislation, the SAVE America Act, as “voter suppression” and being “reminiscent of the Jim Crow era.” Democrats floated similar accusations about the SAVE America Act’s precursor, the SAVE Act.

“Do you know what actually disenfranchises voters? When noncitizens participate in our federal elections and counteract the votes of registered American voters,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said in a statement shared with The Daily Signal. “That’s what we have to stop.”

Johnson then pointed out Democrats’ use of identification for other political events.

“You even need an ID to attend the events of most Democrat politicians and even the Democrat National Convention,” the speaker continued. “So why would voting be any different from that? They can’t answer that question. And so, they come up with all these crazy excuses of why they can’t support.”

While Democrats in Washington are mostly in lockstep on opposing election integrity measures, public polling suggests that a large majority of Americans approve of SAVE America Act provisions.

A national poll from Cygnal recently showed that 70% of American voters overall, 75% of swing voters, 69% of Hispanics, 56% of Black voters, and even 46% of Democrats support voter ID.

“Voter ID is commonsense and is supported by over 80% of the American public, including a majority of Democrat voters,” Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., told The Daily Signal. “If you need an ID to board a plane, open a bank account, or even to buy certain types of cold medicine, you should need an ID to vote in federal elections.”

“Anyone who opposes voter ID to safeguard the integrity of our elections is anti-American,” the representative added.

Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., told The Daily Signal that “Democrat open-border policies invited millions of unvetted illegals, costing American lives—like Laken Riley, Rachel Morin, and Jocelyn Nungaray—and draining resources from citizens. Now they threaten election integrity to silence lawful voters.”

“That’s why radical progressive Democrats are fighting tooth and nail against the SAVE America Act to ensure non-citizens can continue to vote in our elections,” Harris continued.

The legislation is now headed to the Senate, where it remains unclear if it will be brought up for a vote.

Last week, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., indicated that Senate Democrats will vote against the legislation, going so far as to say the bill is “dead on arrival.”

On Tuesday, Republican lawmakers such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has indicated she will vote against the bill, which has raised concerns among Republicans.

Murkowski came out against the SAVE America Act in a statement on X.

“When Democrats attempted to advance sweeping election reform legislation in 2021, Republicans were unanimous in opposition because it would have federalized elections, something we have long opposed,” Murkowski claimed. “Once again, I do not support these efforts. Not only does the U.S. Constitution clearly provide states the authority to regulate the ‘times, places, and manner’ of holding federal elections, but one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington, D.C., seldom work in places like Alaska.”

“Election Day is fast approaching. Imposing new federal requirements now, when states are deep into their preparations, would negatively impact election integrity by forcing election officials to scramble to adhere to new policies likely without the necessary resources,” Murkowski continued. “Ensuring public trust in our elections is at the core of our democracy, but federal overreach is not how we achieve this.”

Republicans were not unanimously opposed to Democrats’ election reforms in 2021, however, because Murkowski was the only Republican to vote in favor of the overhaul. Her X post quickly gained a community note pointing out her previous voting record.

“I’ll let Lisa Murkowski go to Alaska and explain to the people of Alaska why non-citizens should vote and why you shouldn’t have voter ID,” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, told The Daily Signal.

“Let Lisa Murkowski explain that and how that is remotely consistent with being a defender of our Constitution, the rule of law, or ensuring that we maintain a sovereign America.”

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