The Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill on November 11 (local time) that would require U.S. citizens to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Democrats argued that the measure would place an unnecessary burden on U.S. voters and consolidate President Donald Trump's electoral power.

The bill, known as the SAVE America Act, passed by a vote of 218 to 213, with only one Democrat joining Republicans in supporting it. The bill now moves to the Republican-led Senate for a vote, but is unlikely to secure the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster.

This bill is the latest version of election-related legislation that first emerged during the 2024 presidential campaign, driven by President Trump's claims that undocumented immigrants are voting in large numbers in federal elections. Similar bills have passed the House twice before, in April and last year, but stalled in the Senate.

The House vote comes just a week after President Trump urged Republicans to "take over" elections in more than a dozen states. The bill would require proof of citizenship when registering to vote in midterm elections and would impose criminal penalties on election officials who register individuals without the necessary documentation.

Republicans have also added a provision that would require voters to present photo identification when voting at the polls or by mail in future federal elections. Republicans cited polling data, including a Pew Research Center survey showing that 83% of voters (including 71% of Democrats) support voter photo ID laws, as evidence for their position.

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the bill as a "common-sense measure that ensures American elections are decided by American citizens." However, Democratic leadership argued that the bill is an attempt to suppress votes and undermine electoral opportunities, and that it comes at a time when independent analysts are giving Democrats a strong chance of winning back control of the House.

Republicans have been shaken by a string of Democratic special election victories, including their win in a Texas state Senate race, which has been seen as a wake-up call.

Rep. Joe Morell, the top Democrat on the House committee overseeing elections, said, "The SAVE America Act is part of a broader Republican strategy to consolidate power this year. Speaker Johnson wants to make it harder for Americans to vote and easier for Republican operatives in Washington to control how elections are run." It is already illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections.

However, cases of non-citizens being registered on voter rolls have appeared nationwide, and there have even been records of them actually voting. This has provided the backdrop for the Trump administration's push for the SAVE America Act.

While efforts are underway by the Trump administration to normalize state-managed voter rolls, lawsuits have emerged as Democratic-led states have pushed back against what they see as federal overreach.

Federal courts have sided with the states, ruling that the federal government lacks the legal basis to support its claims.

Ultimately, Trump's push for legislation is seen as an effort to create a legal basis for fair and clean elections.

Nevertheless, mainstream media outlets are reporting that the federal government is infringing on state authority.

According to Reuters, the Brennan Center for Justice, a left-leaning organization at New York University School of Law, warned that the SAVE America Act could disenfranchise millions of American citizens who may not easily obtain documents proving citizenship, such as passports or birth certificates.

Some point out that the bill is part of a broader conflict between the Trump administration and state governments, which has included the withholding of federal funds, the deployment of the National Guard, and FBI searches of election administration centers in Fulton County, Georgia.

Mai Ratakonda, director of the Election Protection Program at States United Democracy, a nonpartisan group working to protect free and fair elections, said, "There are checks and balances in place, including state and local officials who act as a check on federal government overreach. The federal government is trying to undermine precisely that."

Republicans are also preparing a second, broader election bill called the "Make Elections Great Again Act." This bill would mandate the use of paper ballots in federal general elections, restrict mail-in voting, and prohibit ranked-choice voting. The bill was reviewed at a House Administration Committee hearing on Tuesday the 10th.

By Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter, NNP USA / Special Contributor to this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com