Quick Hit:

Senate Democrats blocked the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Thursday, a bill mandating proof of citizenship for federal voters, which passed the House late Wednesday.

Key Details:

• The SAVE Act, first introduced in the Senate by Utah Senator Mike Lee back in May was blocked by Senate Democrats at the time, but passed the House Wednesday night with bipartisan support, in a 221-198 vote. Five Democrats supported the measure.

• Senate Democrats then blocked the bill a second time Thursday when Lee called up the bill, drawing sharp criticism from Republicans who emphasize the need to prevent illegal voting.

• Lee criticized the blockade, stating, "By blocking the SAVE Act, Senate Democrats are undermining the very foundation of our electoral system. Ensuring that only citizens can vote is a fundamental principle of democracy."

Diving Deeper:

Senate Democrats blocked the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act Thursday, a bill designed to ensure that only American citizens can vote in federal elections. The legislation, which passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, was spearheaded by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana.

The bill mandated that state election officials verify citizenship before issuing voter registration forms, granting states access to federal databases to confirm citizenship. Proponents argue that this measure is crucial for safeguarding the integrity of American elections and preventing illegal voting.

Sen. Mike Lee of Utah was vocal in his criticism of the Senate Democrats' blockade. "Democrats just blocked the SAVE Act in the Senate," he tweeted on Thursday. "They don’t want to stop illegal immigrants and non-citizens from voting in American elections." Lee further emphasized his concerns during a speech on the Senate floor, stating, "One citizen, one vote. Today, this foundational principle is under attack. It’s under attack because President Biden refuses to enforce the law. Now we face a direct threat to our entire electoral system."

Supporters of the SAVE Act argue that ensuring only American citizens vote in federal elections is a fundamental aspect of maintaining a fair and democratic electoral process.