(NewsNation) — House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing pressure to include the SAVE Act provisions in a government funding bill and make it harder for noncitizens to vote in U.S. federal elections — an already illegal act.
Republican lawmakers are urging the Senate to pass the bill, which would introduce more proof-of-citizenship requirements. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, first proposed the bill.
With the border positioned as one of the defining issues of the 2024 presidential race, the bill would require proof of citizenship before registering to vote in a federal election. Supporters of the bill say not enough safeguards are in place to ensure only citizens can vote.
The SAVE Act passed in the House earlier this year with the approval of five Democrats, but it faces steep odds of passing in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
Lawmakers are set to debate government funding this month, and some Republicans want to see the SAVE Act tacked on to the upcoming spending measure. However, many Democrats oppose that strategy.
“It’s become a partisan issue, which is amazing to me,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said Sunday on Fox News. “But, I don’t think there’s going to be a shutdown.”
Former President Donald Trump is adding to the pressure by calling on lawmakers to pass the SAVE Act.