WASHINGTON, D.C. — A voting reform measure that recently passed the House is becoming a flashpoint ahead of the 2026 midterms.
The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship to register to vote — and photo ID to cast a ballot, even though it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections.
Supporters say the measure protects the integrity of American elections, but critics warn it could create new barriers for eligible voters.
President Trump is calling the SAVE America Act his “number one priority,” urging Republicans to get it to his desk well before the midterms.
The president said Sunday that he will not sign any other bills until the Senate passes it — and he’s calling on leaders to utilize some relatively unconventional methods to get it done.
The president is calling on Senate GOP leaders to force a “talking filibuster” to advance the SAVE America Act. The tool would force Democrats to actively hold the floor with continuous debate for days, weeks or even months. Democrats would have to eventually give up to end debate, in which case the bill could pass with a simple majority, or 51 votes.
“We don’t have the votes either to proceed, get on a talking filibuster, nor to sustain one if we got on it, but that is just a function of math, and there isn’t anything I can do about that. I understand the president’s got a passion to see this issue addressed, as we all do,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. “I’m the one who has to be the clear-eyed realist about what we can achieve here.”
Majority Leader Thune says the votes are not there to proceed with a talking filibuster. He said the SAVE America Act will be brought to the floor, but he stopped just short of saying it’s destined to fail.
“We’re going to vote on this. We’re going to put it up and we’ll give the Democrats the opportunity to cast their vote on whether or not they think noncitizens ought to vote in American elections,” Thune said. “As I said, I can guarantee the debate, I can guarantee a vote, I just can’t guarantee an outcome.”
Most Democrats warn the legislation would make it harder for eligible citizens to vote due to required documentation such as a birth certificate or passport.
“So if you’ve been married and changed your name, you’d have to go and get a new birth certificate, which usually takes weeks, if not months,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y. “It requires people to have a passport, and only about 50% of Americans have a passport.”
“We’re not against having appropriate ID to vote. But what he’s doing is so discriminatory,” Gillibrand added.
But one Democrat says parts of the proposal deserve discussion.
“I’m open to this one part where it’s like I think 84% of America has no problem showing their I.D. to vote,” said Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. “I don’t necessarily agree with everything part of Save America, but that’s part of that conversation.”
Absent the talking filibuster, Republicans would need Democratic support to reach the Senate’s 60-vote threshold — unless GOP leaders decide to nuke the filibuster, allowing all bills- now and in the future- to glide through the Senate with a simple majority.
Experts say it’s an unlikely option, but one that would likely backfire on Republicans if leaders were to move forward.
“What comes around goes around in politics,” said Dr. Todd Belt, professor and director of the Political Management Master’s Program at George Washington University. “And it’s not clear that the Republicans will always have the Senate. The Democrats will, too. And of course, the Senate is really important not just for legislation, but also for all those presidential appointments and judicial appointments.”
President Trump is also calling for additional provisions to be included in the bill, such as proof of citizenship to cast a vote and eliminating mail-in voting with exceptions for military, travel or illness.
