Biden Administration Comes Out Against Election Integrity Bill Requiring Voters Prove Citizenship - 'What Are Democrats Fearful Of?'

On Monday, the White House released a memo expressing its opposition to the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act pushed by House Republicans. The act would require "documentary proof of United States citizenship" to register to vote in federal elections. The law, meant to prevent illegal migrants from voting, has received heavy pushback from both House Democrats and President Biden after three years of open border policies that have allowed millions of migrants to enter the country illegally.

"The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections-is is a Federal crime punishable by prison and fines," the White House wrote in a memo. "The alleged justification for this bill is based on easily disproven falsehoods. Additionally, making a false claim of citizenship or unlawfully voting in an election is punishable by removal from the United States and a permanent bar to admission."

The Executive Office of the President then explained that state governments already have enough safeguards to protect against illegal migrants voting in federal elections and the White House argued that the legislation, which would require a passport, photo ID, a birth certificate, or other documentation proving citizenship, would make it harder for Americans to register to vote. 

Given the administration's opposition, House Democrats have rallied to prevent members of the party from voting with the GOP on the bill. House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) has reportedly been encouraging her colleagues to vote against the legislation, arguing that the bill would "prevent Americans from registering to vote with their drivers' license alone" and make a passport the "only acceptable standalone form of identification."

The response against the legislation has prompted many House Republicans to explain that Democrats' insistence against the bill is a sign that they want illegal migrants to vote in November. "Why are Democrats so adamantly against ensuring only American citizens vote in our elections?" Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) wrote on X. "They want to turn illegal aliens into voters. We must pass the SAVE Act to prevent this."

The bill's author, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), explained that the bill is a common sense election integrity measure that Democrats shouldn't be afraid of. "Federal law currently PROHIBITS states from verifying citizenship status during registration for federal elections. The SAVE Act requires proof of citizenship to register and would remove noncitizens from voter rolls," Roy posted. "What are Democrats fearful of? This is basic stuff, you would think…"

Americans should vote in American elections, period. Noncitizens have no right to cast a ballot in any federal, state, or local election, and the SAVE Act puts in place necessary safeguards to prevent noncitizen voting. The Biden administration's opposition to the legislation tells the American people all they need to know about the president's approach to a secure election in November.

You can follow Sterling on X/Twitter here.