Key facts
- Four Republican senators voted with Democrats to block the SAVE Act.
- The SAVE Act proposed requiring proof of U.S. citizenship and photo ID for federal elections.
- Senator Josh Hawley criticized the four Republicans for blocking the voter ID measure.
- Opponents argued voter ID laws should be determined at the state level.
- Hawley countered that Congress has a role in regulating federal elections.
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.