• Trump suggested renaming legislation to “Save America Act” during Republican gathering
• House passed bill in April but Senate Democrats vowed to block measure
• Critics warn 21 million Americans lack easy access to required citizenship documents

WASHINGTON, DC (TDR) — President Donald Trump urged House Republicans to pass legislation requiring documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, suggesting a name change to emphasize the measure’s importance ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking at a Republican legislative retreat, Trump endorsed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, commonly known as the SAVE Act, calling it “common sense” with his “total endorsement.” The president proposed rebranding it as the “Save America Act” to highlight what he described as critical election security reforms.

“The SAVE America Act! I think we’re going to change the name a little bit,” Trump said during the gathering. “You’re going to put that up for a vote? I think everybody in this room certainly should do it.”

Bill Would Require Documentary Citizenship Proof

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The legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to mandate that all applicants provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections. Acceptable documents would include U.S. passports, birth certificates, naturalization certificates, or certain military records indicating U.S. birthplace.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), the bill’s sponsor, argued the measure would “restore Americans’ confidence in our elections” and prevent noncitizens from voting. The House passed the legislation 220-208 in April 2025, with four Democrats joining all Republicans in support.

Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI), chairman of the House committee handling election legislation, said during debate that the bill aims to “restore Americans’ confidence in our elections” and prevent noncitizens from voting.

“American elections belong to American citizens, and the public’s confidence in those elections is the cornerstone of our republic.”

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The requirement would apply to new voters as well as existing voters updating their registrations after moves or name changes. States would also be required to establish programs removing noncitizens from voter rolls and allow citizens to sue election officials who fail to comply.

Senate Democrats Vow to Block Measure

The legislation faces significant obstacles in the Senate, where Democrats hold enough votes to sustain a filibuster. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the measure “noxious” and vowed it would be “dead on arrival” in his chamber.

“Democrats and Americans see this bill for what it really is: a nasty, vicious attack on our democracy,” Schumer said in April remarks. “The SAVE Act reads more like a how-to guide for voter suppression, rather than a serious attempt to secure our elections.”

Rep. Joe Morelle (D-NY), ranking member on the House Administration Committee, warned the legislation represents “one of the most damaging voter suppression bills in modern history” that would disproportionately impact women, military members, and people of color.

Critics Cite Access Barriers for Millions

Voting rights groups warn the measure could disenfranchise millions of eligible Americans. An estimated 21.3 million U.S. citizens either lack ready access to citizenship documents or don’t have them at all, according to surveys by the Brennan Center for Justice and other organizations.

Only about 43 percent of Americans possess passports, according to analysis by the Voting Rights Lab. The American Civil Liberties Union estimates as many as 69 million women who took their spouse’s name face potential obstacles since their birth certificates don’t match their current legal names.

Sean Morales-Doyle, voting rights director at the Brennan Center for Justice, emphasized the distinction from typical voter ID laws. “This is not a show-your-driver’s-license when you go to vote. This is a show-your-papers law,” he said.

The bill would also eliminate common registration methods including online, mail-in, or voter registration drives, requiring in-person document presentation that advocates say would particularly burden rural residents, tribal populations, and those in remote areas.

Trump Previously Attempted Executive Action

Trump issued an executive order in March 2025 directing similar changes, but federal courts blocked the action following lawsuits from voting rights organizations and Democratic officials. The order attempted to direct the Election Assistance Commission to modify the federal voter registration form and threatened to withhold funding from non-compliant states.

Legal experts argued the president lacked constitutional authority to unilaterally alter election procedures, noting Article I, Section 4 reserves such powers to states and Congress.

Noncitizen Voting Already Illegal and Rare

Federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, with violations punishable by felony charges, fines, and deportation. Current federal voter registration forms require applicants to swear under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens.

Election officials and past audits have consistently shown noncitizen voting incidents are extremely rare, accounting for a tiny fraction of votes cast. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes described the proposal as “a solution in search of a problem” built on unfounded fears.

“What it is doing is capitalizing on fear — fear built on a lie,” Fontes said. “And the lie is that a whole bunch of people who aren’t eligible are voting. That’s just not true.”

Will Republicans secure enough Senate support to overcome a Democratic filibuster, or does the SAVE Act face the same fate as last year’s attempt?

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