U.S. Senate Rejects SAVE America Act Voter‑ID Bill

The Senate voted 48‑50 on a budget‑reconciliation amendment to advance the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, which would require proof of citizenship and a REAL ID‑type document for voter registration. Four Republican senators – Thom Tillis, Lisa Murkowski, Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins – joined Democrats in blocking the measure, despite Republican control of the White House, the House and the Senate. Former President Donald Trump praised the effort and endorsed Senator Lindsey Graham, who sponsored the amendment.

Later that day, the Senate approved a $70 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol by a 52‑47 vote, again without Democratic support. The proposal to attach the SAVE Act to that spending bill was rejected, leaving the voter‑ID legislation stalled for the second time this session. The SAVE Act, first introduced in 2024, would mandate documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or a REAL ID‑compliant photo ID, for voter registration.