As Republicans highlight the most popular policy in the SAVE America Act: Democrats in Congress reject it
Published by RawNews1st
Republicans are aggressively touting a popular provision in their sweeping SAVE America Act to overhaul elections nationwide: requiring photo identification to vote.
It’s a policy long opposed by Democrats in Congress, who liken it — along with the bill’s proof of citizenship requirement to register to vote — to nefarious Jim Crow-era laws aimed at preventing African Americans from voting
The Senate on Tuesday voted to open debate on the SAVE America Act in a narrow 51-48 vote, marking an early step forward for the GOP-backed election bill as Democrats remain united in opposition.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, was the lone Republican to vote against advancing the legislation, while all Democrats opposed opening debate. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., did not vote.
The procedural vote allows Senate Republicans to begin debate on the measure, with GOP leaders expected to allow for amendments and extended floor discussion in the coming days.
At some point, Senate Majority Leader John Thune is expected to file cloture to end debate, which would trigger a final vote requiring 60 votes to advance.
Because Republicans do not have 60 votes, Democrats could ultimately block the legislation by refusing to support ending debate, meaning Tuesday’s vote does not guarantee the bill will pass the Senate.
Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., on Tuesday defended mail-in voting as secure and accused Republicans of turning the SAVE Act into an “unserious” “Christmas tree” bill when pressed on why Democrats oppose the GOP-backed election measure.
Fox News’ Chad Pergram asked Fetterman why he would not side with Republicans on the SAVE Act, especially as someone who sometimes bucks his own party.
“Well, they’ve turned it into an unserious kind of a Christmas tree, attaching all these other things to it and now bashing mail-in voting,” Fetterman said. “Absolutely it’s secure. Florida loves it and uses it. Ohio does, too.
“In Pennsylvania, when I was lieutenant governor, that was the Republican idea to create that,” he continued. “Every one of them voted for that. So it is a secure way, and now the more rural states use that for their voters too.”
