Trump Presses Senate Republicans to Advance SAVE America Act as Election Bill Stalls

President Donald Trump is stepping up pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a Republican-backed election bill that would require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, mandate photo identification at the polls and restrict the use of mail-in ballots.

The White House renewed its push Thursday, sharing video of Trump urging Republican officials to support the legislation. The measure would generally limit absentee voting to people who cannot vote in person because of circumstances such as illness, disability, military service or travel.

Trump also highlighted related priorities, including protections for women’s sports.

The legislation builds on earlier Republican efforts to tighten federal election rules. Under the proposal, individuals registering to vote in federal elections would be required to provide documents demonstrating U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, certified birth certificate or naturalization papers.

Supporters, including Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, argue that the requirements would help prevent noncitizen voting and increase confidence in the election system. They have framed voter identification requirements as a common-sense safeguard already used in many other areas of daily life.

Democrats and voting-rights organizations have opposed the proposal, arguing that it could make it more difficult for eligible Americans to vote, particularly older residents, low-income voters and people who have changed their names and may not have easy access to the required documents.

There’s NO valid argument against the SAVE America Act.

My bill would make it easy to vote.

And hard to cheat.

As soon as DHS is fully funded (as it should be within 48 hours), the Senate should resume consideration of it—and stay on the bill until it passes.

Pass it on.… https://t.co/PzHvOIf5bQ

— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) June 4, 2026

The bill has advanced in the House but continues to face obstacles in the Senate, where Republicans do not currently have the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

An effort Thursday to include SAVE Act provisions in an immigration funding package fell short after four Republican senators — Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Thom Tillis of North Carolina — joined Democrats in blocking the measure.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has faced growing pressure from conservatives to bring the legislation forward or consider procedural changes. Thune has pointed to the lack of sufficient support within the Republican conference.

The dispute comes as both parties prepare for the 2026 midterm elections. Several states, including Florida, have pursued their own proof-of-citizenship requirements as the federal legislation remains stalled.

The White House is urging voters to contact their senators and demand action, casting the bill as a necessary step to strengthen election integrity. Opponents warn that the proposed rules could prevent eligible citizens from participating in federal elections.

[Read More: California Sued Over ‘Ghost’ Voters]