The Republican controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday approved legislation requiring proof of citizenship for federal voter registration, advancing a priority for President Donald Trump and opening a new dispute with Democrats over election rules ahead of the November midterm elections.
Lawmakers voted 218 to 213 to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, with one Democrat joining Republicans in support. The measure now goes to the Senate, where it is expected to receive consideration but faces uncertain prospects because most legislation requires 60 votes to advance.
The bill would require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to present documentation showing U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or naturalization record. It would also establish criminal penalties for election officials who knowingly register applicants without the required proof.
Republicans added a provision mandating photo identification for voters casting ballots in person and for certain mail in voting procedures in future federal elections. Supporters cited polling, including surveys by the Pew Research Center, showing broad public backing for voter identification requirements.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said the proposal was aimed at protecting election integrity. He described the measure as “common sense legislation to just ensure that American citizens decide American elections.”
Democratic lawmakers opposed the bill, saying it would create administrative hurdles for eligible voters and interfere with state run election systems. Representative Joe Morelle, the top Democrat on the House committee overseeing federal elections, said the legislation would make voting harder and shift authority toward federal officials.
The legislation builds on proposals first promoted during the 2024 presidential campaign after Trump repeatedly asserted that people in the United States without legal status had voted in large numbers. Election administrators and studies conducted by academic researchers and policy organizations have found such instances to be rare.
Federal law already bars non citizens from voting in federal elections, and providing false information on a voter registration form can lead to criminal prosecution. State and local election officials from both parties have said documented cases of non citizen voting are isolated and typically involve misunderstandings about eligibility.
The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law has said a documentation requirement could affect millions of citizens who do not readily have access to passports or certified birth records. Voting rights groups have said married women who changed their names, rural residents and younger voters may be among those most affected because their records may not match current identification.
Supporters of the legislation said requiring documentary proof would create a uniform federal standard and strengthen public confidence in election results. Several Republican lawmakers pointed to recent special election losses as evidence that voter participation is politically competitive and argued clear rules were needed before the midterms.
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The House vote came about a week after Trump called on Republicans to “take over” elections in several jurisdictions, comments that drew criticism from Democrats who said election administration is primarily a state responsibility under the Constitution.
The measure is part of a broader legislative agenda on election procedures. A second proposal, the Make Elections Great Again Act, examined at a House Administration Committee hearing, would require the use of paper ballots in federal general elections, restrict the use of mail in voting and prohibit ranked choice voting in those contests.
Advocacy organizations have said the dispute reflects a continuing debate over federal and state authority in administering elections. Some groups also cited previous conflicts between the federal government and state officials over election funding and oversight.
The SAVE America Act has passed the House in earlier sessions but did not advance in the Senate. Although Republicans hold a majority in that chamber, most legislation requires support from at least some Democrats to overcome procedural hurdles.
Senate leaders have not announced a timetable for a vote. If the chamber approves the bill without changes, it would be sent to President Trump, who is expected to sign it. If the Senate amends the legislation, the House would need to vote again before it could go to the president’s desk.