House Passes SAVE America Act on Voter ID Rules

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act on Wednesday, a Republican-led bill that would mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for casting ballots in federal elections. The legislation advanced on a largely party-line vote of 218 to 213, with every Republican present supporting it and only one Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, joining in favor.

The 32-page measure, introduced by Representative Chip Roy of Texas, builds on an earlier version of the SAVE Act that cleared the House in April 2025 by a 220 to 208 margin. This updated bill requires states to collect documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, in person during federal voter registration. It also imposes photo ID requirements at polling places and adds restrictions on mail-in voting, including the submission of an eligible ID copy when requesting or returning an absentee ballot. Proponents argue the changes would enhance election security by ensuring only citizens participate, a priority echoed by President Donald Trump, who has called for national standards to address concerns over voter eligibility.