The Senate is currently debating the SAVE America Act, a voting reform bill, following President Trump's emphasis on its passage. The bill aims to require proof of citizenship and photo identification for voting, sparking debate over voter access and potential disenfranchisement.
The Senate is debating the SAVE America Act in a rare weekend session. The debate comes after President Donald Trump said earlier this month that passing this voting reform was his main priority in the coming weeks.
Here’s what to know about the bill and its future in the Senate: The Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, would require Americans to prove they are citizens when they register to vote, mostly through a valid U.S. passport or birth certificate. It would also require a valid photo identification before voters can cast ballots, which some states already demand. It was already approved in the House on a mostly party-line vote, 218-213.Trump and Republicans say the bill is needed to prevent voter fraud. Experts say voter fraud is extremely rare, and that very few noncitizens ever slip through the cracks. Those in opposition of the bill also say it would disenfranchise millions of Americans by making it harder to vote. For example, millions of Americans who don’t have proof of citizenship readily available may be unable to register, and married women would need multiple documents to prove their citizenship if they have changed their name. Trump told House Republicans earlier this month during their annual retreat at his golf club in Florida that he doesn't think they will win midterm elections unless voting laws are toughened up to prevent fraud.He pressed the Senate to push past its filibuster rules to send it to his desk, even saying he would sign no other bills until this one was passed. Senate Republicans have a narrow majority that falls short of the 60 votes they would need to overcome a filibuster. RELATED: SAVE America Act: Trump pushing to add ban on mail ballotsThe Senate is debating Saturday and will vote on an amendment to the SAVE America Act.On Saturday, the Senate also blocked the Tuberville amendment to the SAVE America Act, which was a proposal that would have banned transgender athletes from playing in women’s sports. Trump had said he wanted additional priorities added to the legislation; a ban on mail-in voting and a block on sex reassignment surgeries on some minors are others. Democrats are expected to eventually block the broader legislation, and it's unclear when votes may be held on the other amendments. LiveNOW from FOX is keeping tabs on the floor proceedings in the video player at the top of this article. You can also watch a live stream here. RELATED: Markwayne Mullin makes his case to lead DHS, faces Senate resistance over temperamentEarlier on Saturday, the Senate rejected a motion by Democrats to take up legislation to reopen TSA and pay workers who are now going without paychecks. Republicans argue that they need to fund all parts of the DHS, not just certain ones.RELATED: Trump says he'll put ICE agents at airport security if funding bill isn’t passedThe Senate will also meet on Sunday to take its first vote on the continuation of advancing nominee Sen. Markwayne Mullin to become DHS secretary.
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Senate debating SAVE America Act in rare weekend sessionThe Senate is debating the SAVE America Act in a rare weekend session after President Trump said passing this voting reform was his main priority.
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