OKC Standard

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Bice and House Republicans passed H.R. 8281, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. This legislation aims to certify the integrity and safety of U.S. elections by requiring proof of citizenship to cast a ballot in federal elections.

Specifically, H.R. 8281 amends the National Voter Registration Act to require states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity in person when registering an individual to vote in a federal election. It also mandates that states establish a program to remove non-citizens from their existing voter rolls, provides states with immediate no-cost access to federal databases containing citizenship information, adds penalties for officials who knowingly register non-citizens to vote in federal elections, and directs states to create a process for applicants without documentary proof of citizenship but who are U.S. citizens.

Congresswoman Bice issued the following statement: “Securing our elections is of paramount importance, which is why I was proud to vote in favor of the SAVE Act. This bill ensures that we protect the votes of American citizens; making it easy to vote and hard to cheat. We must strengthen our election security, improve voter confidence, and ensure American citizens are the only ones voting. The President’s decision to issue a veto threat for this legislation is deeply concerning. The SAVE Act is commonsense and should be non-controversial, as it only seeks to protect the right to vote for each and every citizen.”

In her prepared remarks, Congresswoman Bice stated: "Thank you Mr. Speaker. I rise today in strong support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility or SAVE Act. Since taking office, more than 9.6 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border. This crisis is not only a national security concern but one that can seriously alter the outcome of our elections."

She continued: "We have seen efforts from states and localities, including the District of Columbia, to allow non-citizens to vote. Securing our elections is of paramount importance, and we must ensure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat."

"The SAVE Act will strengthen our election administration, improve voter confidence, and ensure that American elections are ONLY for American citizens," she added.

Bice emphasized: "Specifically, this legislation requires state election officials to ask about citizenship before providing voter registration forms and requires an individual to provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections."

"These commonsense solutions are non-controversial," she noted with concern over potential presidential opposition: "I am deeply concerned that the President of the United States has threatened to veto this legislation."

"In fact," she concluded, "this step should alarm every citizen living in our country... And we must ask why… Why is this Administration refusing to take steps to safeguard our elections and protect the votes of every single American? I strongly support the SAVE Act and look forward to voting for it."

"Thank you Mr. Speaker and I yield back."