U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, criticized the Republicans’ SAVE America Act on Mar. 20 during a speech on the Senate floor, saying it would make it harder for Americans to vote by requiring proof of citizenship beyond standard government-issued IDs.
The debate over voting rights is significant because it concerns access to fundamental democratic participation. The proposed legislation would require documents such as passports or birth certificates to register to vote, which Durbin argued could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who lack these documents.
Durbin cited a study showing that more than 21 million eligible American voters do not have documents readily available to prove their citizenship. He said, “Did you hear what the President said about this piece of legislation? It’s entitled the SAVE America Act. How important it is to him? Earlier this week, on social media, President Trump said ‘[o]nly sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’ And then he threatened… to sink any Republican who doesn’t fall in line. Here’s what he said, ‘[I] WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST’ this legislation.”
Durbin questioned claims that noncitizens are voting in large numbers and pointed out that federal law already bans noncitizens from participating in elections. He stated that only seventy-seven cases of illegal voting were found between 1999 and 2023 out of millions registered: “Seventy-seven in 24 years.” He also described how common forms of identification like driver’s licenses would not be accepted under the bill and noted that obtaining a passport can cost at least $165, likening this requirement to a poll tax.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an important role in shaping constitutional protections and public safety through its legislative and oversight duties according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to civil rights and oversees federal law enforcement agencies according to its official website. It is led by a chairperson and includes senators from both major political parties according to its official website.
As part of his remarks, Durbin concluded: “Why are we changing the rules? Why are we creating obstacles? Why are we forcing people to spend hundreds of dollars to go buy a passport so they can register to vote? … [this] should come to an end with a big ‘no’ vote on this floor. I’ll be voting no.”
The outcome of this debate may affect future election laws nationwide as the Senate Judiciary Committee continues its work influencing judicial matters across the country according to its official website.
