SAVE Act

Bill: 119-hr-22
Sponsor: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
Introduced: 2025-01-03 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Election Assistance Commission
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
Licensing and registrations
Postal service
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: 

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act

This bill requires individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Specifically, the bill prohibits states from accepting and processing an application to register to vote in a federal election unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill specifies what documents are considered acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship, such as identification that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005 that indicates U.S. citizenship.

Further, the bill (1) prohibits states from registering an individual to vote in a federal election unless, at the time the individual applies to register to vote, the individual provides documentary proof of U.S. citizenship; and (2) requires states to establish an alternative process under which an applicant may submit other evidence to demonstrate U.S. citizenship.

Each state must take affirmative steps on an ongoing basis to ensure that only U.S. citizens are registered to vote, which shall include establishing a program to identify individuals who are not U.S. citizens using information supplied by certain sources.

Additionally, states must remove noncitizens from their official lists of eligible voters.

The bill allows for a private right of action against an election official who registers an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.

The bill establishes criminal penalties for certain offenses, including registering an applicant to vote in a federal election who fails to present documentary proof of U.S. citizenship.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102). (text: CR H1569-1571: 2)
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102).
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: On motion to recommit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 211 - 215 (Roll no. 101).
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1580-1581: 1)
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 22, the Chair put the question on motion to recommit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Ms. Johnson (TX) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Ms. Johnson (TX) moved to recommit to the Committee on House Administration. (text: CR H1569: 2)
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 22.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 18, S.J. Res. 28, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 22. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28.
action_date: 2025-04-10
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 294. (consideration: CR H1569-1579)
action_date: 2025-04-08
text: Rule H. Res. 294 passed House.
action_date: 2025-04-07
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 294 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of S.J. Res. 18, S.J. Res. 28, H.R. 1526 and H.R. 22. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28.
action_date: 2025-04-01
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 282 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 22, H.R. 1526, S.J. Res. 18, and S.J. Res. 28 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 22 and H.R. 1526, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 18 and S.J. Res. 28. The resolution also provides that H. Res. 23 and H. Res. 164 are laid on the table.
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-03
text: Introduced in House