House Passes SAVE Act, EPA Rolls Back Climate Rules, Philly Sues Over Slavery Exhibit

Plus Trump refuses to apologize for racist Obama meme and Minnesota's immigration surge ends.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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This week, the Republican-controlled House voted to pass the SAVE America Act, which would impose strict new voter ID requirements. Meanwhile, the Trump administration revoked an Obama-era EPA finding that served as the legal foundation for federal climate regulations. The City of Philadelphia is also suing the Trump administration after a slavery exhibit was removed from a national park. Additionally, President Trump refused to apologize for posting a racist depiction of former President Obama, and the administration announced the end of an immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

Why it matters

These events highlight the ongoing political battles over voting rights, environmental regulations, and the portrayal of American history, as well as the divisive rhetoric and policies coming from the Trump administration. The SAVE Act could disenfranchise millions of voters, the EPA rollback weakens climate action, and the removal of the slavery exhibit reflects efforts to downplay the country's history of slavery.

The details

The SAVE Act would require states to obtain documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, from voters registering for federal elections. Critics say this could disenfranchise up to 21 million voters who lack ready access to such documents. The Trump administration revoked the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health, removing the legal foundation for federal climate regulations. In Philadelphia, the city is suing the Trump administration after the National Park Service removed a long-standing exhibit on slavery from Independence National Historical Park. This comes after Trump signed an order empowering the Vice President to review and remove 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian properties.

  • On February 12, 2026, the Republican-controlled House voted 218-213 to pass the SAVE America Act.
  • On February 13, 2026, the Trump administration revoked the EPA's 'endangerment finding' that served as the legal basis for federal climate regulations.
  • In March 2026, President Trump signed an order empowering the Vice President to review and remove 'improper ideology' from Smithsonian properties.

The players

SAVE America Act

A Republican-backed bill that would impose strict new voter ID requirements, potentially disenfranchising up to 21 million voters who lack ready access to documents like passports or birth certificates.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The federal agency that under the Obama administration had classified greenhouse gases as a threat to public health, providing the legal foundation for federal climate regulations.

City of Philadelphia

The city that is suing the Trump administration after the National Park Service removed a long-standing exhibit on slavery from Independence National Historical Park.

Donald Trump

The President of the United States who refused to apologize for posting a racist depiction of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on social media.

Tom Homan

The 'border czar' who announced the end of a federal immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota.

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What they’re saying

“No, I didn't make a mistake.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States (The White House)

“The Trump administration's action makes the U.S. less safe, less healthy and less able to fight climate change — all so the fossil fuel industry can make even more money.”

— Barack Obama, Former President of the United States (Social media)

What’s next

The SAVE Act now faces an uncertain path in the Senate, where some Republican senators are skeptical or opposed to the measure. The lawsuit filed by the City of Philadelphia over the removal of the slavery exhibit is ongoing.

The takeaway

These events underscore the deep political divides in the country, as the Trump administration pursues policies that critics say are aimed at disenfranchising voters, rolling back environmental protections, and downplaying the history of slavery in America. The battles over voting rights, climate change, and the portrayal of the nation's past reflect the broader ideological clashes shaping the political landscape.