Trump Allies Rally Behind 'Election Integrity' Bill Targeting Non-Citizen Voting

House Speaker Mike Johnson, joined by prominent allies of former President Donald Trump, unveiled a proposed legislation aimed at preventing non-citizens from voting in federal elections, despite a lack of evidence suggesting widespread illegal voting by non-citizens.

The "Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act" or SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or birth certificate, for voter registration. Critics argue that millions of Americans lack access to such documents, potentially disenfranchising eligible voters.

Johnson acknowledged that non-citizen voting is already illegal under federal law but claimed, without providing estimates, that "a lot of illegals are voting in federal elections." Multiple studies have shown that non-citizen voting is extremely rare.

The event saw a gathering of Trump loyalists, including Stephen Miller, former White House senior adviser, and Cleta Mitchell, the conservative activist who was on the infamous call when Trump urged Georgia officials to "find" enough votes to overturn the state's 2020 election results.

Why It Matters:

The proposed legislation, though unlikely to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate or be signed by President Joe Biden, highlights the ongoing efforts by Trump allies to promote unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud and push for stricter voting laws. This could potentially suppress voter turnout, especially among marginalized communities.

Key Takeaways:

1. The SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
2. Speaker Johnson claimed, without evidence, that many non-citizens vote illegally.
3. The event featured prominent Trump allies who sought to overturn the 2020 election.
4. The bill is unlikely to pass the Senate or be signed into law by President Biden.
5. Critics argue the legislation could disenfranchise eligible voters lacking required documents.