Senators Hagerty, Blackburn tout SAVE America Act as debate continues amid Democratic opposition
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Bill Hagerty and Marsha Blackburn joined Republican Senate leaders on Wednesday, March 18, to push for the passage of the SAVE America Act.
Republicans face strong opposition by Democratic senators in getting the bill passed. The SAVE Act passed the House on February 11, 2026 with a 218-213 vote. The bill, according to Republican senators, is aimed at strengthening the election process and ensuring election integrity.
The SAVE Act, also known as the SAVE America Act, would amend the National Voter Registration Act. The SAVE Act would require individuals registering to vote to present proof of citizenship in person.
Blackburn recounted Tennessee’s top standing in the nation for election integrity and said the intent of the SAVE Act is to ensure security with elections across the country.
“It is common sense that only citizens should vote in our elections,” said Blackburn. “Tennesseans know when they go to the polls that one person one vote is respected and it is protected.”
Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) said the Democratic arguments regarding voters being required to reregister to vote is not true. He said the ACT recognizes current registrations and if an individual is registered to vote then that registration is valid.
Hagerty urged citizens to consider why the Democratic senators are strongly opposed to the legislation.
“You should be a United States citizens in order to exercise the right to vote,” said Hagerty. “You have to ask yourself a very fundamental question. Senator Lee mentioned this. You got a situation where the vast majority of Americans support voter integrity. They support what we’re trying to accomplish with the SAVE Act and that’s very simple.”
Hagerty said the intent of the bill is to ensure Americans, and only American citizens, can vote in elections.
“You have to be a United States citizen in order to be able to exercise the precious right to vote,” said Hagerty. “You should be able to prove you are who you say you are when you go to the poll. This is something that 80% of Americans with large support, over 90% of Republicans and 71% of Democrats support this as well. So you have to ask yourself, why is it that 47 United States senators oppose what 71% of Democrats and 80% of Americans favor? Who is it that they represent?”
The SAVE America ACT would require states to ensure a person registering to vote for the first time is an American citizen through proof of citizenship with a passport or birth certificate. It would also impact those that have changed their name or that have relocated since their prior registration. It would require those individuals to provide proof of citizenship when registering in their new location or registering under their new name.
The SAVE Act also requires the removal of non-citizens from the voter registration.
“A State shall remove an individual who is not a citizen of the United States from the official list of eligible voters for elections for Federal office held in the State at any time upon receipt of documentation or verified information that a registrant is not a United States citizen.” (SAVE America ACT)
The Senate started the debate on Tuesday on the bill and will continue the debate on Wednesday. Senate Republicans need 60 votes to pass it and send it to President Donald Trump’s desk for signature. They do not have those votes yet.
TO READ THE SAVE AMERICA ACT BILL, CLICK HERE.
To watch the press conference video, click here.
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