Mr. President, I, too, rise in opposition to S. 1383, the so-called SAVE America Act. I think a better name—more, actually, representative of the contents of the bill—would be the "Save Republicans From the Consequences of Their Actions Act." I have some other choice names for it, too, but not exactly appropriate for the Senate floor, so we will stick to the SAVE Act just to be short. Last year, President Trump and Republicans in Congress promised the American people that they would lower costs—costs across the board but specifically healthcare costs.
S. 1383: Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025
Introduced Apr 9, 20253 cosponsors
Sponsor
Rick Scott
Republican · FL
Bill Progress
IntroducedApr 9
Committee
Pass SenateDec 18
Pass HouseFeb 11
Signed
Law
Latest Action · Feb 12, 2026
1/4
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
You'd need citizenship papers to register to vote
5 min readLast updated June 5, 2026
Why it matters
Today you register to vote by signing a form that says, under penalty of perjury, that you're a U.S. citizen. S. 1383 would replace that attestation with a hard documents requirement: you'd have to show physical proof of citizenship to register, and a photo ID to vote, in every federal election. The House passed it 218-213 — a five-vote margin, almost entirely along party lines.
S. 1383 is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — the SAVE America Act. At its core, it does two things to federal elections: it requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register, and it requires a photo ID to cast a ballot.
On registration, states could no longer accept an application unless the applicant shows specific paperwork. The bill names what counts: a REAL ID-compliant card that indicates citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, or a government-issued photo ID showing the person was born in the United States. The box-checking attestation that's standard today would no longer be enough on its own.
There are some guardrails for mismatches. If your name doesn't match across documents, states must still process your registration as long as you provide additional documentation, and each state has to set up an alternative process for people to prove citizenship another way.
Voting itself changes too. To receive a ballot, you'd have to present a valid physical photo ID. Without one, you could cast a provisional ballot — but it only counts if, within three days, you come back with the ID or sign an affidavit claiming a religious objection to being photographed. Mail and absentee voters would have to include a copy of their photo ID, or the last four digits of their Social Security number plus an affidavit that they couldn't get a copy. Overseas military voters and certain elderly and disabled voters are exempt from the in-person rules.
The bill also reaches the rolls states already have. Within 30 days of enactment, each state would have to take ongoing steps to confirm only citizens are registered, including running its voter list against the federal SAVE immigration-status database through the Department of Homeland Security. Anyone flagged as a noncitizen gets a chance to show proof of citizenship; those who can't would be removed. The bill adds criminal penalties for certain offenses and lets private parties sue over certain violations.
One thing worth knowing if you land on this page: S. 1383 started life as the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act, a Senate bill about VA accessibility. The House stripped that text out and replaced it wholesale with the SAVE America Act before passing it, which is why the bill's official title and its current contents don't match.
S. 1383 Bill Summary
What S. 1383 actually does.
1
Citizenship documents required to register
States could not process a federal voter registration unless the applicant presents documentary proof of U.S. citizenship — a REAL ID that indicates citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, or a photo ID showing a U.S. birthplace.
2
Photo ID required to receive a ballot
Voters would have to present a valid physical photo ID to get a ballot. Without one, they could cast a provisional ballot that counts only if they present ID, or sign a religious-objection affidavit, within three days.
3
New rules for mail and absentee voting
Mail ballots would need to include a copy of the voter's photo ID, or the last four digits of their Social Security number with an affidavit. Overseas military voters and certain elderly and disabled voters are exempt.
4
States cross-check rolls against a federal database
Within 30 days of enactment, states would run voter lists against the federal SAVE immigration-status system through Homeland Security and remove anyone identified as a noncitizen who can't show proof of citizenship.
5
Criminal penalties and a private right of action
The bill creates criminal penalties for certain offenses and lets private parties bring lawsuits over certain violations of its requirements.
Who benefits from S. 1383?
Backers of stricter voter-eligibility rules
Supporters argue that requiring citizenship documents and photo ID forecloses any chance for noncitizens to register or vote, even though documented cases of noncitizen voting are rare.
Voters who already hold a passport or qualifying ID
Americans who already carry a U.S. passport or a REAL ID showing citizenship could register and vote with documents they already have.
State officials seeking a uniform federal standard
Election administrators who want a single national verification rule would get one, replacing the patchwork of state attestation practices.
Who is affected by S. 1383?
Citizens without easy access to documents
People who don't hold a passport or a citizenship-marked ID — including naturalized citizens, those born at home, and people in rural or tribal areas — would have to track down specific paperwork before they could register. Critics warn this is where eligible voters get blocked or delayed.
Mail and absentee voters
Voters who don't vote in person would need to attach a photo ID copy or their Social Security digits plus an affidavit, adding steps that don't exist today.
State and local election officials
States would have to rebuild registration and verification systems, run ongoing Homeland Security cross-checks, and provide free copying devices so voters can duplicate their IDs.
Voter registration drives
Groups that sign people up at events, churches, and campuses would face new documentation requirements, making it harder to register voters on the spot.
On the Record
What Congress Is Saying
100 legislators have weighed in on S. 1383 — 46 Democrats, 53 Republicans, 1 Independents.
Madam President, in accordance with rule V of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby provide notice that I intend to move to suspend the operation of rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the Committee on Rules and Administration to consider the following motion with respect to the message to accompany S. 1383: Motion to refer with instructions: That the Message to accompany S. 1383 be referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration with instruction that the Committee consider legislation that fully funds the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through fiscal year 2026.
The Chair lays before the Senate the following message from the House. The Presiding Officer laid before the Senate the following message from the House of Representatives: Resolved, That the bill from the Senate (S. 1383) entitled "An Act to establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes.", do pass with an amendment.
The Presiding Officer··Senate
Madam President, in accordance with rule V of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby provide notice that I intend to move to suspend the operation of rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the Committee on Rules and Administration to consider the following motion with respect to the message to accompany S. 1383: Motion to refer with instructions: That the Message to accompany S. 1383 be referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration with instruction that the Committee review the compliance of the Department of Justice with the requirements of P.L.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 1383, the SAVE America Act. I thank my colleague, Chip Roy, for his work on this bill, as well as my colleagues on the Committee on House Administration. Today, Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity to move forward with election integrity and to regain the trust of the American people in the way that we operate our elections. The SAVE America Act has two key principles, both of which are common sense. The individuals who want to vote in U.S. elections should be U.S. citizens, and we should have a proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of S. 1383, the SAVE America Act, which I am proud to cosponsor and hope will pass the House floor today. I also note that I think it is shockingly racist and sexist for my colleagues on the other side to believe that we are not smart enough to figure out how to get IDs. I can assure my colleagues that we are, even if we get married. The SAVE America Act requires individuals to provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship along with a valid photo ID when registering to vote.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to voice my support for this rule and to commend my colleague, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Roy). There is no greater advocate for law and order and election integrity than Mr. Roy, and the incredible people of Texas are well-served by his leadership and stewardship of our Constitution. Mr. Speaker, the rule before us enables us to debate and vote on one of the most consequential pieces of legislation concerning election integrity in our country's history. S.
S. 1383 also appeared in 1 more House floor reference, 207 more Senate floor references, 1 in the Extensions of Remarks, and 26 routine cosponsor filings.
S1383 Legislative Journey
Action Taken
Feb 12, 2026
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
House: Passed 218-213
Feb 11, 2026
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)
+12 more actions this day
House: Action Taken
Dec 19, 2025
Held at the desk.
Passed 8894-8895
Dec 18, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8894-8895; text: CR S8894-8895)
+1 more action this day
Committee Action
Dec 2, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Reported by Senator Moran with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Passed Committee
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
May 21, 2025
Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
Committee Action
Apr 9, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
About the Sponsor
Rick Scott
Republican, FL · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Senate Special Committee on Aging, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, Armed Services
View full profile →
Cosponsors (3)
No new cosponsors in 272 days — momentum stalled
This bill has 3 cosponsors: 6 Democrats, 2 Republicans, 1 Independent, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 7 states: Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, and 4 more.
6Democrats2Republicans1Independent·7 statesBipartisan
Committee Sponsors
Committee on House Administration
4D8R
|0 signed12 not yet0 of 12 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Veterans' Affairs Committee
7D10R2I
|4 signed15 not yet4 of 19 committee members cosponsored
17 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 1383 change?
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''
S. 1383 Quick Facts
Cosponsors
3
- Committee
- House Administration
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Government Operations and Politics
- Introduced
- Apr 9, 2025
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
Feb 12, 2026
Official Sources
S. 1383 on Congress.gov
The official bill page with full text, the SAVE America Act substitute amendment, sponsors, and action history.
USCIS SAVE Program
The Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system states would run their voter rolls against to flag noncitizens.
TSA — About REAL ID
A REAL ID that indicates citizenship is one of the documents the bill would accept as proof to register.
Apply for a U.S. Passport (State Department)
A valid U.S. passport is a qualifying citizenship document under the bill's documentary-proof requirement.
EAC National Mail Voter Registration Form
The federal voter registration form the bill's new documentary-proof rules would change.
ADA.gov — Voting Rights of People with Disabilities
Background on the accessibility protections behind the bill's exemptions for certain elderly and disabled voters.
House Roll Call Vote 69 (Feb. 11, 2026)
The official tally for the 218-213 House passage vote, with how each member voted.
S. 1383 Common Questions
What does S. 1383 require to register to vote?
It requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. States couldn't process a federal voter registration unless you present a qualifying document — the signed citizenship attestation used today wouldn't be enough on its own.
Which documents count as proof of citizenship under the SAVE America Act?
The bill names a REAL ID-compliant card that indicates citizenship, a valid U.S. passport, or a government-issued photo ID showing you were born in the United States. A certified birth certificate paired with photo ID can also work.
Do I need a photo ID to vote if I'm already registered?
Yes. Under S. 1383 you'd have to show a valid physical photo ID to receive a ballot. Without one you could cast a provisional ballot, but it only counts if you present ID — or sign a religious-objection affidavit — within three days.
Can I still vote by mail under S. 1383?
Yes, but you'd have to include a copy of your photo ID, or the last four digits of your Social Security number plus an affidavit that you couldn't get an ID copy. Overseas military voters and certain elderly and disabled voters are exempt.
What happens to people already on the voter rolls?
Within 30 days of enactment, states would run their voter lists against the federal SAVE immigration-status system through Homeland Security. Anyone flagged as a noncitizen gets a chance to show proof of citizenship; those who can't would be removed.
What if my name doesn't match my documents?
States would still have to process your registration as long as you provide additional documentation. The bill also requires each state to set up an alternative process for people to demonstrate citizenship another way.
Why is S. 1383 titled the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act?
It started as a Senate bill about VA accessibility. The House removed that text entirely and replaced it with the SAVE America Act before passing it, so the official title no longer matches the bill's current voter-eligibility contents.
Has S. 1383 become law?
Not yet. The House passed it 218-213 on February 11, 2026, and it now sits at the Senate desk as a House amendment to a Senate bill. It would need to clear the Senate — where it faces a 60-vote threshold — and be signed by the President.
Based on S. 1383 bill text
S. 1383 Bill Text
“To establish the Veterans Advisory Committee on Equal Access, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
Bill Alerts
Get notified when S. 1383 moves
Committee votes, floor action, cosponsor changes — straight to your inbox.
Bill alerts + Legisletter's monthly briefing. Unsubscribe anytime.
Government Operations and Politics Bills
9 related bills we're tracking
H.R. 1065
Protect Our Letter Carriers Act of 2025
Brian FitzpatrickR-PA
+181
185 cosponsors
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 6, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 2086
Rights for the TSA Workforce Act
Bennie ThompsonD-MS
+148
152 cosponsors
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Mar 11, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 5657
Fair Pay for Federal Contractors Act of 2025
Ayanna PressleyD-MA
+131
135 cosponsors
Referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Sep 30, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 7296
SAVE America Act
Chip RoyR-TX
+107
111 cosponsors
Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
Jan 30, 2026
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 22
SAVE Act
Chip RoyR-TX
+106
110 cosponsors
Received in the Senate.
Apr 10, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 492
Saving the Civil Service Act
Gerald ConnollyD-VA
+94
98 cosponsors
ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
Sep 16, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 4894
Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2025
Jennifer McClellanD-VA
+30
34 cosponsors
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Aug 5, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
H.R. 2332
SHARE Act of 2025
Tracey MannR-KS
+24
28 cosponsors
Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Mar 25, 2025
HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
S. 1668
End Crypto Corruption Act of 2025
Jeff MerkleyD-OR
+21
25 cosponsors
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 71.
May 8, 2025
SenateGovernment Operations and Politics
Trending Right Now
Bills gaining momentum across Congress
H.R. 3747
AADAPT Act
Troy BaldersonR-OH
+78
82 cosponsors
+4 this monthOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 48 - 0.
May 21, 2026
HouseHealth
H.R. 722
Life at Conception Act
Eric BurlisonR-MO
+108
112 cosponsors
+4 this monthReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 24, 2025
HouseCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
H.R. 3045
West Bank Violence Prevention Act of 2025
Jerrold NadlerD-NY
+146
150 cosponsors
+3 this monthReferred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Apr 28, 2025
HouseInternational Affairs
Tracking Government Operations and Politics in Congress? Monitor bills, track cosponsor momentum, and launch advocacy campaigns — all from one advocacy platform.