Competing Claims on SAVE America Act Disenfranchising Voters Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has claimed the SAVE America Act “could disenfranchise over 20 million American citizens,” while Republicans argue the voter registration and ID bill would not block legitimate voters. Election experts note the legislation, which is not expected to pass, could create barriers for some voters, though the exact number remains uncertain. Schumer has previously used more definitive language, stating that “more than 20 million legitimate people … will not be able to vote under this law” or that it “would disenfranchise tens of millions of people.” Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute’s Robert A. Levy Center for Constitutional Studies, told FactCheck.org that the bill would not meet the dictionary definition of “disenfranchise,” which means depriving someone of the right to vote. However, Olson acknowledged the legislation could “make it harder and more expensive for [many people] to [register and] vote,” as described by Democratic Sen. Patty Murray. This added burden, he explained, might prevent some eligible voters from completing the registration process, even though the law does not strip them of their legal right to vote. Schumer’s 20 million estimate is based on a 2023 survey by the Brennan Center for Justice and other groups, which found that more than 9% of voting-age Americans, or 21.3 million people, would struggle to quickly locate documents like a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers if required. Over 3.8 million of these individuals lack such documents. While some might obtain the necessary proof, experts suggest the process could be too onerous for others.#save_america_act #patty_murray #chuck_schumer #brennan_center #walter_olson
Senator Elissa Slotkin Joins Colleagues Urging HHS to Release Title X Funding WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined 38 other senators in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., demanding immediate action to ensure uninterrupted access to comprehensive family planning services. The senators called for HHS to award a one-year full funding extension for all current Title X grantees, preventing a lapse in critical care. The letter highlights the ongoing risks posed by the Trump administration’s past decision to withhold funding from nearly 20% of Title X grantees, which left over 840,000 people without access to essential services. While funding was restored by December 2025, many grantees operated with reduced resources, straining their ability to meet demand. With current funding set to expire on March 31, 2026, the senators argue that delaying action would jeopardize access for vulnerable populations. Title X services, which include contraception, cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing, and sexually transmitted infection treatment, have been instrumental in improving public health outcomes. Since 1970, the program has provided lifesaving care to low-income and uninsured individuals, contributing to lower maternal and infant mortality rates, fewer premature births, and reduced cancer incidence. The senators emphasize that these services remain critical for addressing disparities in reproductive health care. The letter, signed by a bipartisan group of senators, includes notable names such as Gary Peters (D-MI), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).#senator_elissa_slotkin #health_and_human_services #robert_f_kennedy_jr #title_x_grantees #patty_murray
