A bold new push for election integrity is taking shape in Washington, with Republicans leading the charge to ensure only U.S. citizens can cast ballots in federal elections. Rep. Bryan Steil is at the forefront of this critical fight to protect American democracy from potential fraud and abuse.
At a glance:
• Rep. Bryan Steil introduced the SAVE Act to ensure only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections
• The bill succeeds the American Confidence in Elections (ACE) Act from the previous Congress
• Legislation includes requirements for enhanced proof of citizenship for federal election voting
• States allowing noncitizen voting would face a 30% reduction in federal payments
• The bill passed committee with 100 Republican co-sponsors but no Democratic support
Republicans Push for Citizen-Only Voting
Rep. Bryan Steil (R-WI) has emerged as a leading voice in the fight to protect America’s election integrity through his introduction of the SAVE Act. The Wisconsin congressman discussed his legislative efforts on Breitbart News Daily, emphasizing the fundamental principle that should unite all Americans: only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.
“The SAVE Act is a specific bill as it relates to making sure it’s U.S. citizens voting in U.S. elections,” Steil explained during his Breitbart appearance. This straightforward goal has garnered strong support from Republicans who see potential threats to election integrity as Democrats push to expand voting access without proper safeguards.
The legislation builds upon previous Republican-led election integrity efforts and forms part of a comprehensive strategy. Steil noted that the bill represents an evolution of earlier efforts, saying, “Last Congress, we called that the ACE Act — American Confidence in Elections — it was a real bust… [a] comprehensive election integrity package.”
Democrats Block Path to Election Security
Despite strong Republican support, the bill faces significant challenges in the Democrat-controlled Senate. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has been sharply criticized by Steil for blocking similar legislation in the previous Congress, preventing critical election security measures from becoming law.
The partisan divide was evident when the U.S. Committee on House Administration passed the bill, H.R. 4563, on a strictly party-line vote. No Democrats supported the measure, which Republicans frame as common-sense protection against potential fraud and integrity issues in the electoral system.
Democrats, including Rep. Joe Morelle, have attacked the legislation, claiming it restricts voter access and caters to “election deniers.” This characteristic resistance to meaningful election security measures continues to frustrate conservatives who simply want to ensure fair and secure elections for all legitimate American voters.
Strong Measures to Protect Citizen Voting Rights
The SAVE Act includes robust mechanisms to ensure states uphold the principle of citizen-only voting. States allowing noncitizens to vote would face serious consequences, including a 30% reduction in federal payments and disqualification from certain federal election funds.
The bill also targets several Democrat-supported voting policies, including prohibiting federal funds for voter registration drives with nongovernmental organizations. Additionally, it would impose voter ID requirements in Washington D.C. and ban ranked-choice voting in the nation’s capital, which many conservatives view as confusing and subject to manipulation.
Steil and his Republican colleagues emphasize that noncitizen voting fundamentally weakens the electoral system and dilutes the value of American citizenship. The bill even requires district courts to notify state officials if a noncitizen is turned away from jury duty, creating another layer of verification to protect against illegal voting.
With 100 Republican co-sponsors, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the legislation demonstrates strong Republican unity on election integrity issues.
