Senate Majority Leader John Thune has signaled that the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act could soon be brought to the Senate floor for a vote. Republican lawmakers are considering the use of a less common procedural approach that could allow the bill to advance without meeting the usual 60-vote threshold required to overcome a filibuster.
The development follows pressure from several House Republicans who had threatened to delay broader legislative action unless the Senate committed to voting on the measure. Lawmakers had initially explored attaching the SAVE Act to government funding legislation, which is intended to resolve the ongoing government shutdown. Under the current plan, most federal agencies would be funded through the fiscal year, while the Department of Homeland Security would receive short-term funding to allow continued negotiations on immigration policy.
After discussions involving Senate leaders and President Donald Trump, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said an agreement was reached to move forward with a standalone Senate vote on the SAVE Act. Lawmakers supporting the bill have said the approach would keep the government funded while still allowing debate on voter eligibility requirements.
The SAVE Act, which has already passed the House, would require individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate. The legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring states to verify citizenship in person and by prohibiting registration without the required documentation. It also directs states to create alternative processes for applicants who lack standard records and to improve voter list maintenance.
Senate Republicans are weighing the possible use of a “standing filibuster,” an older procedural method that requires opponents to continuously debate on the Senate floor in order to delay a vote. If this approach is used and debate ends, the bill could pass with a simple majority. No final decision has been announced, and Senate leadership has said discussions on procedure are ongoing.