Washington, D.C. – February 19, 2026 – In a move aimed at bolstering election integrity, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, sponsored by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas). The legislation, which cleared the House amid heated partisan debate, seeks to amend the 1993 National Voter Registration Act by imposing stricter requirements for voter registration and ballot casting.
The SAVE America Act requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote, such as a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a birth certificate accompanied by a government-issued photo ID. Additionally, the bill mandates photo identification for in-person voting and extends this requirement to absentee ballot requests, closing what proponents describe as potential loopholes in the current system.
President Donald Trump, who has long championed measures to secure elections, swiftly endorsed the bill. In a statement from the White House, Trump hailed it as a “critical step to ensure only American citizens decide American elections.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need for enhanced safeguards. “This is about protecting the sanctity of our democracy,” Leavitt said during a press briefing. “Polls show overwhelming support: 83% of Americans, including 71% of Democrats, back photo ID requirements for voting. It’s common sense, not controversy.”
The passage comes at a time of heightened national discourse on election security, following years of claims about voter fraud and irregularities. Supporters argue that the Act will prevent non-citizens from influencing U.S. elections, pointing to recent reports of increased border crossings and concerns over voting access for undocumented individuals. Rep. Roy, the bill’s lead sponsor, framed it as a necessary update to outdated laws. “The National Voter Registration Act was well-intentioned, but it’s time to adapt it to modern realities,” Roy stated on the House floor. “This ensures every vote counts and every voter is verified.”
However, Democrats have vehemently opposed the measure, labeling it a veiled attempt at voter suppression. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) criticized the Act as “disenfranchising” and argued that it would disproportionately affect low-income, minority, and elderly voters who may lack easy access to the required documents. “This isn’t about security; it’s about making it harder for Americans to exercise their fundamental right,” Schumer said in a statement. Critics also point out that instances of non-citizen voting are exceedingly rare, according to multiple studies, and warn that the new rules could lead to longer lines at polls and administrative burdens on election officials.
The bill now heads to the Senate, where Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has announced plans for a floor vote as early as next week. With Republicans holding a slim majority, the path forward is uncertain due to the Senate’s filibuster rule, which requires 60 votes to advance most legislation. GOP leaders are under pressure from conservative factions to explore workarounds, such as attaching the Act to must-pass spending bills or using reconciliation procedures typically reserved for budget-related matters. “We’ll do what it takes to get this across the finish line,” Thune told reporters. “Election integrity is a priority for the American people.”
If enacted, the SAVE America Act could reshape voter registration processes nationwide, potentially affecting millions of potential voters ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election. Advocacy groups on both sides are already mobilizing: organizations like the ACLU have vowed to challenge the law in court if it passes, while conservative think tanks have praised it as a model for state-level reforms.
As the debate intensifies, the Act underscores the ongoing divide in Washington over how to balance accessibility and security in America’s electoral system. With public opinion largely favoring ID requirements, the Senate’s decision could have far-reaching implications for future elections.
