GOP's SAVE America Act proposes new voter ID, citizenship requirements

The bill aims to tighten election rules ahead of the 2026 midterms, drawing fierce opposition from Democrats.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The updated SAVE America Act, sponsored by Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy, would require voters to present photo ID and provide proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. The bill passed the House but faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where Democrats have vowed to block it.

Why it matters

The proposed changes to voting rules have sparked a partisan clash, with Republicans arguing the measures are necessary to protect election integrity, while Democrats claim the bill is a thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The details

The SAVE America Act would restrict mail-in ballots, require photo ID at polling places, and mandate states obtain proof of citizenship before registering a person to vote in a federal election. Acceptable citizenship documents include a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization documents. The bill would also require states to scrub noncitizens from voter rolls and create programs to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens.

  • The SAVE Act was originally sponsored by Texas Republican Rep. Chip Roy and passed the House in April.
  • The updated SAVE America Act is set to reach the House floor for a showdown vote later on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Chip Roy

A Republican U.S. Representative from Texas who sponsored the original SAVE Act.

Donald Trump

The former president who has repeatedly made unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and is calling for the passage of the SAVE America Act.

Steve Scalise

The House Majority Leader who has argued the SAVE America Act is necessary to stop noncitizens from voting.

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Minority Leader who has said the SAVE Act is "dead on arrival" in the Senate.

Alex Padilla

A Democratic U.S. Senator from California who has accused Republicans of trying to "suppress the right to vote" with the SAVE Act.

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What they’re saying

“America's Elections are Rigged, Stolen, and a Laughingstock all over the World. We are either going to fix them, or we won't have a Country any longer. I am asking all Republicans to fight for the following: SAVE AMERICA ACT!”

— Donald Trump (Social media)

“A number of states deliberately don't want to check whether or not somebody's here legally when they register, and then they mandate in some states that they can't show picture ID. That's a recipe for voter fraud.”

— Steve Scalise, House Majority Leader (Fox News)

“The Republicans' SAVE Act reads more like a how-to guide for voter suppression. It goes against the very foundations of our democracy. Mark my words: This will not pass the Senate.”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader (Senate floor remarks)

What’s next

The SAVE America Act is expected to face a showdown vote in the House later on Wednesday, February 12, 2026. If it passes the House, it will then need to clear the 60-vote threshold in the Senate to advance, where it faces strong opposition from Democrats.

The takeaway

The partisan battle over the SAVE America Act highlights the ongoing debate over election integrity and voter access, with Republicans arguing the measures are necessary to protect the electoral process and Democrats claiming the bill is a thinly veiled attempt at voter suppression. The outcome of this legislation could have significant implications for the 2026 midterm elections.