Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney of New York has expressed her support for the House passage of the SAVE Act, a bill she co-sponsored, aimed at preventing illegal immigrants from voting in U.S. elections. The legislation, which passed by a final vote of 221-198, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that only citizens participate in elections to uphold the principle of one citizen, one vote.
While the majority of Democrats voted against the measure, five Democrats, including Rep. Henry Cuellar, Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, Rep. Jared Golden, Rep. Don Davis, and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, supported the bill. Tenney, who chairs the House Election Integrity Caucus, highlighted the significance of safeguarding the right to vote as a cornerstone of democracy and self-governance.
Under the SAVE Act, voters would be required to provide proof of citizenship through various forms of identification, such as passports, government-issued photo IDs, military IDs, or birth certificates. House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the gravity of the vote, framing it as a pivotal moment in preserving the integrity of American elections.
Democratic leadership opposed the bill, citing concerns about imposing burdens on American citizens. Tenney criticized the Democrats for what she perceived as undermining the sanctity of the voting process and disenfranchising new citizens eager to participate in fair and free elections.
Tenney expressed uncertainty about the bill's future in the Senate but anticipated opposition from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. She criticized Schumer for potentially disregarding constitutional principles by rejecting the legislation.
Conservatives, including Heritage Action for America Executive Vice President Ryan Walker, lauded the passage of the SAVE Act as a victory for election integrity. Walker emphasized the importance of preventing voter fraud and securing elections, contrasting conservative values with what he described as the Left's support for open borders and ballot access for illegal aliens.
