Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) announced on Thursday, March 12, 2026, that he would bring the SAVE America Act to the Senate floor next week. The legislation requires proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast ballots.
Thune stated during his announcement: “I can’t guarantee an outcome on this legislation, but I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record.”
The bill was advanced in the House last month on a mostly party-line vote with Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX) as the sole Democrat to support it. Thune has rejected calls from Republican leaders to change Senate rules or attempt a talking filibuster, meaning the SAVE America Act is unlikely to pass.
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who introduced the bill, and other proponents have pushed for a “standing filibuster” to allow passage with a simple majority. Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) has also suggested attaching the legislation to a must-pass bill, such as the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).
President Trump has championed election reforms ahead of the 2026 midterms, including voter ID requirements and threats to veto other bills until the SAVE America Act is passed.
Democrats and voting rights advocates argue the bill could disenfranchise millions of voters, while Republicans point to polling showing strong public support for such measures among both parties.
