U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, addressed the Senate on Mar. 24 to discuss provisions in the Republican-backed SAVE America Act that he said would make it harder for Americans to register and vote.
The issue is significant because voting rights are central to democratic participation, and proposed changes could affect millions of eligible voters. The debate also highlights ongoing discussions about election security and access ahead of upcoming elections.
Durbin said the SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship to register to vote but does not accept driver’s licenses or other government-issued IDs as sufficient documentation. He cited a study by the Brennan Center and University of Maryland indicating that more than 21 million eligible voters lack documents readily available to prove their citizenship. "First, you’re going to have to pay a fee for a passport, $165. You may have to wait three, four weeks, maybe even a month or more... And then there’s a complication on the birth certificate if you’re a married woman. You may have taken his [your husband’s] name now, so your birth certificate doesn’t reflect the name that you use legally today," Durbin said.
He also addressed claims about noncitizens voting in U.S. elections: "Why would we change all of those [rules for registering] to vote with new standards of proof? Because of the argument on the other side that there are illegal aliens voting in America... it is against the law today without any change [to legislation] on the Senate floor if you try to vote and you’re not legally an American citizen." Durbin referenced an analysis showing only 77 instances where noncitizens cast ballots between 1999 and 2023.
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an important role in shaping constitutional protections and public safety nationwide through its legislative and oversight duties according to its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to civil rights, oversees federal law enforcement agencies, evaluates judicial nominations from both major parties, and influences legal matters across Washington D.C., impacting federal law throughout the country according to its official website.
Durbin concluded his remarks by saying: "We need to protect the right for legally eligible Americans to register to vote and to vote. We shouldn’t have a poll tax like a new passport fee of $165... Many people fought and died for our right to vote. We shouldn’t have it taken away from us because we stacked up bureaucracy in the path towards registration. That doesn’t make sense."
