Home Republicans Take Stand Towards Senate Over SAVE Act
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) announced Sunday that House Republicans plan to block bills passed by the Senate until that chamber takes action on the SAVE America Act.
“This is the issue of our time! I am fine with holding Sen. Thune hostage until we get this done. Figuratively, not literally,” the congresswoman said. She continued by noting agreement across demographic and political lines on the core principle, explaining that “every single person in [the] country agrees it only citizens should vote in our election.”
Mace added that the measure represents the best step “to protect democracy.”
The SAVE America Act, formally known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (H.R. 7296), was introduced in the House and passed on February 12, 2026, by a vote of 218-213. The bill requires states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship before accepting or processing any application to register to vote in a federal election.
Acceptable forms of documentation include a U.S. passport, a birth certificate issued by a state or local government, or certain other records that confirm citizenship status. The legislation also directs states to require government-issued photo identification for voting in federal elections.
Additional provisions in the bill allow states to create alternative processes for individuals who lack immediate access to standard proof-of-citizenship documents. It further requires federal agencies to share relevant data with state election officials to assist in verifying eligibility. The measure aims to standardize and strengthen verification procedures for federal elections nationwide.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has indicated that the chamber lacks the 60 votes necessary to overcome a potential filibuster, with Republicans holding 53 seats. Thune has described the situation in terms of available votes and has scheduled limited floor time for discussion of the bill.
Several House Republicans, including Mace and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), have publicly supported using procedural tools in the House to delay or withhold approval of unrelated Senate legislation as a means of encouraging Senate action.
Mace has consistently described the SAVE America Act as essential election integrity legislation. Following the House passage in February, she noted that the bill received support from nearly all Republicans and one Democrat.
Public opinion data referenced by supporters, including Mace, indicates that approximately 85 percent of Americans back requirements for proof of citizenship and photo identification in voting processes.