Congressman Keith Self (R) is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the SAVE Act, arguing that requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration is essential to protecting election integrity. He called on the Senate Republicans to take stronger action to advance the legislation.
What is the SAVE Act?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a federal proposal that would require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.
The legislation would also require states to verify voter rolls against federal databases, establish procedures for applicants who face documentation challenges, and implement stricter voter identification requirements.
The bill has already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives but remains stalled in the Senate.
What did Keith Self say?
During a recent interview, Rep. Keith Self (R) said he remains committed to passing the SAVE Act despite uncertainty about its prospects in the Senate.
Rep. Keith Self: "I signed the pledge...I will not vote for a Senate bill unless the SAVE America Act Passes."
Rep. Self continued: "The SAVE America Act is the most important thing we can do."
He also took to social media to increase pressure on Senate leaders, stating that he stood with President Trump.
Why is the bill controversial?
Supporters of the legislation argue that it would strengthen election integrity by preventing noncitizens from voting and ensuring that voter registration records are accurate.
Opponents counter that noncitizen voting is already illegal and argue the measure could create barriers for eligible voters who do not have immediate access to citizenship documents.
The Bottom Line
As the SAVE Act remains stalled in the Senate, Keith Self is calling on lawmakers to take stronger action to move the bill forward. Supporters view the legislation as a critical safeguard for election integrity, while opponents argue it could create new hurdles for eligible voters seeking to register.
