Key facts
- Four Republican senators voted with Democrats to block the SAVE Act.
Senator Josh Hawley expressed frustration after four Republican senators joined Democrats to block the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would have required proof of citizenship and photo ID for federal elections. Opponents argued for state-level control over election laws, while Hawley asserted Congress's role in federal election integrity.
The internal Republican disagreement over federal election integrity measures highlights differing views on states' rights versus federal oversight in election law, potentially impacting future legislative efforts and voter access debates.
Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., voiced strong disapproval of four fellow Republican senators—Susan Collins (R-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.)—who joined Democrats in voting to block the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. The amendment, which aimed to attach the voter ID legislation to the Senate's budget reconciliation package, was defeated during Thursday's vote-a-rama. Hawley expressed his frustration, stating that voter ID laws are popular and essential for election integrity, questioning the rationale behind opposing them. He highlighted that Missouri has such laws in its constitution and that 37 states, including some considered 'blue states,' already implement voter ID requirements. Many senators who voted against the SAVE Act argued that election rules are best determined at the state level and should not fall under federal jurisdiction. Hawley rejected this argument, asserting that Congress frequently establishes federal rules for elections and that protecting ballot integrity is a fundamental concern. The SAVE Act proposed requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for casting ballots in federal elections.
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