CNN Host Debates Speaker Johnson, Argues Underage Drinking is a 'Bigger Problem' than Illegal Voting

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) debated with CNN’s Jake Tapper during a segment and discussed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The SAVE Act includes provisions to ensure that only United States citizens – not illegal immigrants – can vote in U.S. elections by requiring proof of citizenship in order to vote in federal elections.

The SAVE Act was introduced by Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) in the House and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) in the Senate.

During their exchange, Speaker Johnson chastised House Democrats for voting against the bill, but Tapper stated that the left side of the aisle believes the measure isn’t necessary. The discussion can be seen below:

Johnson: The Democrats here don’t want to do it. In fact, 198 House Democrats already voted against the SAVE Act, and they have no explanation as to why.

Tapper: Well, I think they think that it’s already against the law for undocumented immigrants, for noncitizens to vote, and they think that this is creating an election issue where there really is not any evidence of widespread undocumented immigrants voting.

Speaker Johnson then interjected before the topic was changed.

Johnson: I’m just going to say this, it is illegal for underaged persons to buy alcohol right? But we don’t let them come to the liquor store and check a box and say, “I’m over 21.” We ask for identification. We require ID for all sorts of transactions in society, voting is a sacred thing. Why would we not require proof of citizenship? It doesn’t matter that you have a statute that says it’s illegal for noncitizens to vote if you’re not enforcing it, it has no import, and that’s all we’re saying. This is common sense. The American people demand it and deserve it, and we’re going to fight for it.

Tapper then responded, “I think young people trying to get alcohol is a bigger problem in this country than undocumented immigrants wanting to vote.”

Johnson rebutted, “Do you, Jake? The sanctity of our elections is a big, big thing.”

Tapper then doubled down, saying “I think that there is a lot of data and evidence that young people getting alcohol is a major problem in this country. There is not the evidence that undocumented immigrants running to vote every November is the same problem. I don’t even think you can compare the two.”

Johnson also stood firm in his position, and attempted to provide evidence.

“Look at Georgia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas – I’m trying to create a simple example that in society, we require proof to do things, and that’s how we prevent the law from being broken. There are a number of states who have show they have noncitizens on the voter rolls and that is enough to create chaos in the election, and we have to stop it,” concluded Speaker Johnson.

In June, the New York Post reported that 49 states in the Union are actively providing voter registration forms without the necessary proof of citizenship.

House Republicans are attempting to include the SAVE Act in the next continuing resolution.