House Republicans are advancing legislation requiring proof of citizenship and photo identification for federal elections, with a floor vote scheduled for next week on the SAVE America Act.
House Vote Scheduled Next Week
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise confirmed the chamber will vote on Rep. Chip Roy’s SAVE America Act, an updated version of legislation that passed the House in April 2025 but stalled in the Senate. The bill requires citizenship verification and photo identification for all federal elections. Republicans expect the measure to pass easily, as the original version received support from all GOP members plus four Democrats.
The legislation gained momentum after conservative lawmakers threatened to extend the recent government shutdown unless voting security measures received serious consideration. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna led this effort, securing White House assurances that Senate Majority Leader John Thune would explore procedural options to force a Senate vote.
Standing Filibuster Strategy
Senate Republicans are considering a “standing filibuster” to bypass the traditional 60-vote threshold needed to advance legislation. This rarely-used maneuver would require opponents to remain physically present in the chamber, speaking continuously to block the bill. Each senator could deliver a maximum of two speeches without time limits, potentially grinding Senate business to a halt until opponents finished speaking.
Political Battle Lines Drawn
Scalise characterized the requirements as “common-sense measures that protect American voters,” arguing that Democratic opposition stems from wanting non-citizens to participate in elections. Roy emphasized the legislation focuses on two core principles: verifying citizenship and ensuring voter identity through photo identification. The bill faces significant Democratic opposition in the Senate, where Republicans would need at least seven Democratic votes under normal filibuster rules. This voting security debate reflects broader Republican priorities around election integrity and immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.