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
Opinion: Who could the SAVE America Act block from voting? Eligible Alaskans, including me I am a U.S. citizen, an Alaskan, and a registered voter who has participated in local, state, and federal elections for over five decades. However, if the SAVE America Act becomes law without being overturned, I could be denied the right to vote in the 2026 federal primary or general election. Several years ago, I legally combined my last name with my wife’s to create a new family surname. To update my records, I submitted my Ohio birth certificate, Social Security card, and Alaska marriage certificate to the Social Security Administration. I received a revised Social Security record in my new name, obtained a new Alaska driver’s license, and updated my voter registration. Despite these steps, my Alaska driver’s license does not confirm citizenship, my birth certificate does not reflect my new name, and my marriage certificate does not show the surname change, as it occurred after our wedding. I hold a passport, which I first received at age 15 as a Rotary exchange student and have renewed multiple times. However, it still lists my original name. I also have a Global Entry card for TSA PreCheck. After my name change, I followed the State Department’s instructions to update my passport information, uploading the same documents I provided to the Social Security Administration. When my Global Entry card expired, I attempted to renew it using my new legal name, but both applications were rejected due to a mismatch between my passport and new name. I then visited the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport to meet with Customs and Border Protection staff, who advised me to renew my Global Entry card using my old name, which I did.#save_america_act #alaska #john_stainerhain #customs_border_protection #anchorage_school_board
Congress Under Fire for SAVE America Act The SAVE America Act, a controversial piece of legislation, has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and lawmakers for its sweeping voter restrictions and reliance on false claims about election fraud. The bill, which has stalled in Congress, is backed by President Donald Trump, who has called it one of the most consequential laws in U.S. history. However, critics argue that the legislation is rooted in baseless allegations and would disproportionately harm Republican voters while failing to address any real issues. The act mandates in-person voter registration, requires proof of citizenship such as a passport, birth certificate, or Real ID card, and eliminates mail voting in all elections. These provisions are framed as measures to combat voter fraud, a claim that has been repeatedly debunked by independent investigations and court rulings. Despite this, the bill’s architects, including congressional Republicans, have embraced Trump’s narrative that Democrats rig elections and that vote-by-mail systems are vulnerable to fraud. Critics, including opinion writer Bill Press, argue that the legislation is a political tool designed to suppress voting among certain demographics. For example, requiring in-person registration would disadvantage older voters, rural residents, and disabled individuals, many of whom are Republican supporters. Similarly, the mandate for proof of citizenship could disproportionately affect women who took their husband’s last name at marriage, as well as those without access to official documents. The bill’s prohibition on universal mail voting is particularly contentious.#president_donald_trump #save_america_act #bill_press #congressional_republicans #real_id_card
Trump casts a mail-in ballot in Florida special election Palm Beach, Florida — President Donald Trump voted in Tuesday’s Florida state House special election by mail, despite his public criticism of mail-in voting as a form of fraud. The decision came as he reiterated his stance that the practice is inherently problematic, calling it “mail-in cheating” during a roundtable discussion on public safety in Memphis. “Brought to my attention today that we’re the only country that does mail-in voting,” Trump said, adding that the system requires reform. According to Palm Beach County records, Trump cast his ballot in the special election for House District 87, which includes his Mar-a-Lago estate, via mail earlier this month. He also voted by mail in the January primary for the same election. Democrat Emily Gregory is projected to win Tuesday’s race, flipping the historically Republican district. Trump has long questioned the integrity of mail-in voting, claiming without evidence that it facilitates widespread election fraud. His push to eliminate no-excuse mail voting has been central to the “SAVE America Act,” a federal elections reform bill facing limited support in the Senate. The Supreme Court recently heard arguments in a Republican-backed case seeking to impose stricter deadlines for mail ballots. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales defended Trump’s actions, stating that his voter ID bill includes exceptions for mail-in voting in cases of illness, disability, military service, or travel. She noted that Trump, a Palm Beach resident, “participates in Florida elections” but emphasized that his primary residence is in Washington, D.C. “This is a non-story,” she said. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized Trump’s behavior, calling it “king-like” and highlighting the hypocrisy of his stance.#donald_trump #florida #save_america_act #palm_beach #emily_gregory
Trump casts mail ballot in Florida even as he calls the method 'cheating' President Donald Trump cast a mail ballot in an upcoming Florida special election, according to Palm Beach County records, as he publicly condemns the voting method as fraudulent. "Mail-in voting means mail-in cheating. I call it mail-in cheating, and we got to do something about it all," Trump said Monday. Public records indicate his mail ballot was received and counted by election officials in Palm Beach County, where he is registered to vote, though the records don't detail how it was delivered to election officials. This is not the first time Trump has voted by mail while criticizing the method. He did so in 2020, and at that time, NBC News asked him how he reconciled his criticism of mail-in voting with the fact that he voted by mail. "You know why I voted? Because I happened to be in the White House and I won't be able to go to Florida and vote," he said. "There's a big difference between somebody who is out of state and does a ballot and everything is sealed and certified and everything else," he added, before claiming without evidence that thousands of people were signing ballots fraudulently in their living rooms. "I think mail-in voting is a terrible thing. I think if you vote, you should go." Trump's actions have been accompanied by his advocacy for the SAVE America Act, a massive elections overhaul bill he has pushed in Congress. The bill includes exceptions for mail-in ballots in cases of illness, disability, military service, or travel but prohibits universal mail-in voting, which Trump claims is highly susceptible to fraud.#donald_trump #save_america_act #mar_a_lago #palm_beach_county #jon_maples
Trump vota por correo en elección estatal de Florida mientras promueve ley para restringir sistema El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, ejerció su derecho a votar por correo en una elección especial en Florida, mientras continúa presionando al Congreso para limitar el uso de este mecanismo de votación a nivel nacional. Registros del condado de Palm Beach confirman que su papeleta fue enviada y contabilizada en los comicios legislativos estatales del martes, que incluyeron el Distrito 87 de la Cámara de Representantes y el Distrito 14 del Senado de Florida. A pesar de su apoyo al voto por correo en este caso, Trump ha criticado públicamente el sistema en otros contextos, tachándolo de "hacer trampa" y "lo más corrupto que hay". Su postura se alinea con la propuesta de la Ley SAVE America Act, una iniciativa que busca restringir el uso de este método de votación. La Casa Blanca ha defendido su postura, señalando que su oposición no es al voto por correo en sí, sino al modelo de envío masivo de papeletas. La portavoz Olivia Wales explicó que la ley contempla excepciones para personas enfermas, con discapacidad, militares o votantes en viaje. El hecho de que Trump haya votado por correo no contradice su postura, según el gobierno, ya que reside oficialmente en Florida pero pasa la mayor parte del tiempo en Washington. En Florida, donde ahora está registrado como votante tras mudarse desde Nueva York, no tiene una solicitud permanente para votar por correo, por lo que debe solicitar una papeleta en cada elección. La propuesta legislativa enfrenta un camino complicado en el Congreso, especialmente en un Senado dividido, donde no está claro que logre los votos necesarios para su aprobación.#donald_trump #florida #save_america_act #casa_blanca #olivia_wales
Trump vota por correo aunque le ha pedido al Congreso limitar esa forma de votar El presidente Donald Trump emitió otra papeleta por correo en Florida durante una elección especial para escaños legislativos estatales, mientras continúa criticando públicamente el método de votación como una fuente de fraude y presiona al Congreso para que limite su uso. Los registros del condado de Palm Beach indican que su voto ya fue contabilizado, aunque la votación anticipada presencial se extendió hasta el domingo, cuando Trump aún estaba en su propiedad en el sur de Florida. La Casa Blanca declaró que la irritación de Trump está dirigida a los estados que implementan el voto universal por correo, no a casos individuales de votantes que necesiten hacerlo por correo. Una portavoz rechazó específicamente la idea de que su práctica contradiga su impulso por nuevas reglas federales en el tema. “La Ley SAVE America Act tiene excepciones de sentido común para que puedan votar por correo los que necesiten hacerlo por enfermedad, discapacidad, servicio militar o viaje, pero no se debe permitir el voto universal por correo porque es altamente susceptible al fraude”, afirmó Olivia Wales, portavoz de la Casa Blanca, en un comunicado. Un informe de la Brookings Institution publicado en 2025 reveló que los casos de fraude en el voto por correo representaron solo el 0,000043% del total de papeletas emitidas, es decir, aproximadamente cuatro casos por cada 10 millones de votos. Wales añadió: “El presidente es residente de Palm Beach y participa en las elecciones de Florida, pero vive principalmente en Washington, D.C. Esto no es noticia”.#donald_trump #florida #save_america_act #congreso #brookings_institution
Can the SAVE America Act Actually Pass Congress? The SAVE America Act, a proposed federal law that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and tighten identification rules at the polls, faces significant political and legal hurdles as it moves through Congress. The bill, which passed the House earlier this year, is now under consideration in the Senate, where it could become a defining issue in the upcoming midterm elections. President Donald Trump has framed the legislation as a critical step to secure Republican dominance in Congress, warning that failure to pass a version of the bill could jeopardize the party’s control of the midterms. The Senate is set to vote on the SAVE America Act this week, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune positioning the bill as a priority. The legislation would mandate that states provide federal authorities with access to voter rolls to verify that all registered voters are U.S. citizens. This provision, along with stricter requirements for proving citizenship during registration and voting, has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and civil rights advocates, who argue it could disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Key provisions of the bill include requiring voters to present documents such as passports, birth certificates, or other official identification to prove citizenship. Critics highlight that millions of Americans, including 146 million citizens without valid passports and 69 million married women without updated birth certificates, could face barriers to voting. While White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed concerns about these groups facing undue hardship, experts caution that even minor obstacles could disenfranchise voters, particularly in states with limited access to government services.#midterm_elections #donald_trump #save_america_act #karoline_leavitt #john_thune
Trump’s top priority is splitting Republicans — and could reshape the Senate The Senate GOP’s most consequential fight this week may not be with Democrats, but among Republicans themselves. As the United States continues its military standoff with Iran and the Department of Homeland Security remains shut down, the Senate is preparing to take up what President Donald Trump has called his “No. 1 priority”: an election overhaul bill known as the SAVE America Act. Trump has also threatened to refuse to sign any other legislation until the bill passes. But rather than building momentum, the president’s pressure campaign has exposed deep divisions among Republicans over whether to upend the Senate’s rules to force the bill through. The measure is all but destined to fail under current rules. Because the Senate filibuster requires 60 votes to advance most legislation, Republicans would need support from Democratic senators who have shown no interest in backing the bill. At the same time, many Republicans remain wary of eliminating the decades-old rule simply to satisfy Trump’s demands. Still, the long odds haven’t stopped hard-line conservatives from pushing for a rules change—or stopped Trump from urging Republicans to go all-in on an overhaul of election laws. In an effort to partially appease the party’s right wing, Senate leaders plan to allow an extended series of floor speeches and votes next week. But they are stopping short of touching the filibuster itself—at least for now. Leaders will “give everybody as much time as possible,” Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., told MS NOW on Thursday. “So I don’t know how long. It depends on who wants to talk, but I imagine it’s going to be a long week.#donald_trump #save_america_act #chuck_schumer #senate_filibuster #john_cornyn
Trump allies plan Senate floor takeover to pass SAVE America Act President Trump’s allies are preparing to take control of the Senate floor this week in an effort to push the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act through, setting up a critical test for Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who faces pressure from Trump and the MAGA base to prolong the debate over voting reform. GOP senators are keeping their strategies private as they brace for a lengthy, potentially overnight session aimed at building momentum for the bill, which mandates documented proof of citizenship for voters. The measure already enjoys broad public support, with 71 percent of registered voters backing it according to a recent Harvard CAPS/Harris poll of 1,999 respondents. Trump allies, frustrated by their inability to force Democrats into a talking filibuster to block the bill, are urging Thune to keep the measure on the floor as long as possible to force Democrats to defend their opposition. A Republican strategist, who supports a showdown with Democrats, described the goal as “exhausting Democrats, causing pain, and forcing a public and political process.” The strategist questioned whether the debate would escalate into a “fist fight” and how “bloody” Thune would make it. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), a leading proponent of the bill, echoed this sentiment, envisioning an epic floor fight akin to the two-month battle that preceded the Senate’s passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Lee emphasized the importance of maximizing debate time, recalling how the Senate stayed in session for 60 days during that historic fight. Lee, a close Trump ally, suggested the president will closely monitor the Senate debate, as Trump has pressured Thune to secure the bill’s passage before signing any legislation.#save_america_act #john_thune #trump_allies #maga_base #senate_majority_leader
Trump eyes US-backed insurance to curb oil prices amid Iran conflict | Fox News The White House is reportedly considering measures to stabilize global oil prices amid escalating tensions with Iran, as part of broader efforts to mitigate economic fallout from the ongoing crisis. Officials have hinted at potential interventions, including the use of U.S.-backed insurance mechanisms to protect energy markets from volatility. The strategy comes as Iran has intensified its military activities in the Persian Gulf, prompting concerns over supply chain disruptions and rising energy costs. Analysts suggest that such measures could involve partnerships with international energy firms to ensure liquidity in the oil market, though details remain scarce. Meanwhile, lawmakers are pushing for legislative action to address domestic energy security, with proposals focused on reducing reliance on foreign oil and accelerating renewable energy projects. The SAVE America Act, a key piece of legislation, has drawn attention for its potential to reshape U.S. energy policy and counteract geopolitical risks. As tensions escalate, the administration faces mounting pressure to balance economic stability with strategic interests in the region. The situation underscores the complex interplay between energy markets, international relations, and domestic policy priorities.#iran #trump #persian_gulf #white_house #save_america_act
