Johnson says House will pass SAVE America Act 'one more time' in reconciliation bill

Speaker Mike Johnson says the House will advance voter eligibility legislation through the budget reconciliation process, moving forward with a Republican priority backed by President Trump.

Johnson told Fox News on Sunday that the chamber would pursue the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act "one more time" via reconciliation, a legislative tool that allows bills to pass the Senate with a simple majority rather than the typical 60-vote threshold. The Louisiana Republican characterized the measure as a shared priority between himself and Trump.

The SAVE America Act targets noncitizen voting by requiring proof of citizenship for federal election registration. Republicans have pushed the bill as election security legislation, arguing it protects voting integrity. Democrats oppose it, contending that existing law already prohibits noncitizen voting and that the bill creates unnecessary barriers for eligible voters.

The House previously passed the measure, but it stalled in the Senate where it faced Democratic resistance. Using reconciliation sidesteps the filibuster, giving Republicans a path forward with their narrow House majority and party control of the Senate following the 2024 elections.

Johnson's move signals the GOP intends to fast-track voter eligibility measures as part of its early legislative agenda. Reconciliation bills typically address budget matters, but Republicans have sought to expand their use for other party priorities.

The timing reflects Trump's emphasis on election issues ahead of 2024 and beyond. Democrats argue the SAVE Act would burden legitimate voters while solving a problem that occurs rarely in American elections. Election security remains a contentious partisan issue, with Republicans emphasizing voter eligibility requirements and Democrats focused on ballot access.

Johnson's statement indicates the House plans action soon, though the reconciliation bill still requires finalization and Senate passage. The strategy allows Republicans to bypass Democratic obstruction in a evenly divided chamber debate environment.