Key facts
- President Trump is demanding the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID to cast a ballot, be attached to the renewal of Section 702 of FISA.
- Some Republicans, including Rep. Kevin Kiley and Rep. Don Bacon, believe this linkage will complicate and potentially prevent the reauthorization of Section 702.
- Section 702 of FISA, which allows warrantless surveillance of foreigners abroad, expired on June 12.
- Rep. Thomas Massie criticized the linkage as "dumb," questioning the trade of constitutional rights for parliamentary advantage.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune considers attaching the SAVE America Act to FISA renewal "unrealistic."
- Rep. Anna Paulina Luna supports the linkage, stating "No Save America. No FISA."
- Rep. Andy Biggs supports Trump's demand, believing it will protect liberties and election integrity.
President Trump's effort to tie the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act to the renewal of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) is creating divisions within the House Republican party.
Trump has stated he will not support the renewal of Section 702, which permits warrantless surveillance of foreign individuals abroad, unless the SAVE America Act is included. This act mandates proof of citizenship for federal election registration and photo identification for voting. Trump frames this as a critical step for election security ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.), express concern that this linkage will hinder the reauthorization of FISA, which they deem vital for national security. Kiley stated that unrelated legislation should not be a prerequisite for renewing the program. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) echoed these sentiments, calling the strategy a "Hail Mary" and suggesting Trump misunderstands the Senate's dynamics.
Section 702 expired on June 12, with Democrats opposing its extension due to objections related to Trump's appointments. The situation was further complicated by the cancellation of a nomination hearing for Jay Clayton, Trump's choice for director of national intelligence.
Attaching the SAVE America Act is likely to alienate Democrats, whose support is needed in the Senate. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) criticized the move on X, calling it "dumb" to trade constitutional rights for political advantage.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has previously dismissed the idea of passing the SAVE America Act by attaching it to FISA, calling it "unrealistic." He expressed hope that Trump would sign a FISA renewal even if the SAVE America Act is not included.
However, hard-line conservatives in the House could still derail efforts to pass FISA without the voting requirements measure. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has stated, "No Save America. No FISA." Conversely, Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) of the House Freedom Caucus fully supports Trump's demand, arguing it is necessary for protecting liberties and election integrity.