Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Sponsor
Rick Scott
Republican · FL
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Bill Progress
Congress Pushes Tougher Citizenship Checks for Voters
Why it matters
This bill could reshape how Americans prove citizenship to vote—just months before the 2026 elections.
The big picture: The bill, now titled the SAVE America Act, forces everyone registering to vote in federal elections to provide specific documents showing they are U.S. citizens. Its backers argue it's a way to stop non-citizens from registering—but voting rights advocates argue it could block or delay eligible Americans from joining the rolls, especially those with less access to official documents.
Zoom in: The law lists a narrow set of acceptable paperwork: REAL ID cards that show citizenship, U.S. passports, certain military IDs, certified birth certificates, and a few other documents. Without these, citizen applicants won't be able to register. The changes would affect mail-in registrations, DMV registrations, and in-person sign-ups—meaning the rules get stricter across the board.
Between the lines: The push for such documentation comes amid a surge in claims about non-citizen voting, though actual cases remain extremely rare. Experts warn that the real risk is eligible voters—especially young people, the elderly, those born in rural areas, and tribal members—could have trouble providing the right paperwork and lose out on their right to vote.
What This Bill Does
Proof of Citizenship Required to Register
Everyone registering to vote in federal elections must show official documents proving they're U.S. citizens.
Narrow List of Acceptable Documents
Only specific forms—like a passport, REAL ID with citizenship, or a certified birth certificate—count as proof.
State Compliance for All Registration Methods
States can't register voters by mail, at the DMV, or in person unless they provide the proper paperwork.
Stricter DMV and Mail Registration
Driver’s license and mail-in registration programs must verify citizenship—no more 'just check the box' systems.
Penalties for False Registration
Using fake documents will face new criminal and immigration penalties.
Who Benefits
Election security advocates
They believe this will prevent non-citizens from voting.
Supporters of stricter voting laws
This fulfills their calls for more transparency and verification.
Lawmakers facing pressure on election integrity
Can claim action to safeguard voter rolls.
Voters who already have qualifying documents
Will be able to register with minimal extra effort.
Who's Affected
U.S.-born citizens lacking documentation
May find it tough to register if they don’t have a passport or birth certificate handy.
Naturalized citizens
Will need extra steps or specific papers (like a certificate of citizenship) to sign up.
Voter registration groups
Face bigger hurdles helping people register, especially in hard-to-reach communities.
State election officials
Must overhaul systems and verify more forms, likely increasing costs and workload.
Cosponsors (3)
Recent Actions
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 213 (Roll no. 69). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H2138-2141)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 218 - 213 (Roll no. 69).
On motion to commit Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 214 - 217 (Roll no. 68).
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2171-2172)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 1383, the Chair put the question on the motion to commit and by voice vote, announced the noes had prevailed. Mr. Morelle demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
The previous question on the motion to commit was ordered pursuant to clause 2(b) of rule XIX.
What Changes in the Law
3 changes
Sections Amended
Section 4 of National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20503)
striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: ``(b) Requiring Applicants To Present Documentary Proof of United States Citizenship
Section 121(c) of Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (Public Law 99-603). ``(C) Sharing of information.--The heads of Federal departments and agencies shall share information with each other with respect to an individual who is the subject of a request received under paragraph (A) in order to enable them to respond to the request. ``(D) Investigation for purposes of removal.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall conduct an investigation to determine whether to initiate removal proceedings under section 239 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1229) if it is determined pursuant to subparagraph (A) or (B) that an alien (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101)) is unlawfully registered to vote in elections for Federal office. ``(E) Prohibiting fees.--The head of a Federal department or agency may not charge a fee for responding to a State's request under paragraph (A). ``(k) Removal of Noncitizens From Registration Rolls.--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.''. (g) Clarification of Authority of State To Remove Noncitizens From Official List of Eligible Voters.-- (1) In general.--Section 8(a)(4) of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (52 U.S.C. 20507(a)(4)) is amended-- (A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (A); (B) by adding ``or'' at the end of subparagraph (B); and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(C) documentary proof or verified information that the registrant is not a United States citizen;''. (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 8(c)(2)(B)(i) of such Act (52 U.S.C. 20507(c)(2)(B)(i))
striking ``(4)(A)'' and inserting ``(4)(A) or (C)''
Section 401 of such Act (52 U.S.C. 21111)
striking ``sections 301, 302, 303, and 304'' and inserting ``subtitle A of title III''
Committees (2)
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Source: Congress.gov