On February 11, 2026, the House of Representatives passed, by a vote of 216-215, a closed rule governing floor debate on S. 1383, the “SAVE America Act.” The bill, originally introduced as H.R. 22, aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 by requiring proof of United States citizenship for voter registration in federal elections.
The passage of the rule, managed by Representatives Roy and McGovern, was preceded by a report from the House Rules Committee on February 10, 2026, approved by a vote of 9-4. The rule waives all points of order against consideration of the bill and stipulates that an amendment in the nature of a substitute, as outlined in Rules Committee Print 119-19, will be considered as adopted. It also limits floor debate to one hour, equally divided between the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on House Administration.
S. 1383, also known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, seeks to establish stricter requirements for voter registration. According to the White House, the bill’s core tenets include a valid ID requirement, proof of citizenship, and limitations on mail-in ballots, excepting cases of illness, disability, military service, or travel. The White House asserts the need for the legislation, stating that American citizens – and only American citizens – should decide American elections.
The bill’s provisions would direct states to remove non-citizens from voter rolls. Proponents argue the measure is necessary to secure election integrity, pointing to perceived lax standards in the United States compared to other nations. The White House cites examples such as India and Brazil, which tie voter ID to biometric databases, and Germany and Canada, which require paper ballots.
The legislation’s path through Congress has been marked by partisan division. The House Rules Committee vote reflected this, with a narrow margin of approval. The closed rule adopted by the House further restricts the amendment process, limiting opportunities for opposition to alter the bill’s provisions.
The Senate’s consideration of the bill remains an open question. The White House has called on both Republicans and Democrats to pass the SAVE America Act, framing the requirement for voter ID as a non-controversial measure. However, the bill’s future in the Senate is uncertain, and its potential impact on voter access remains a subject of debate.
