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The House voted 218 to 213 to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to provide physical documentation of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill passed on a nearly strict party-line vote.
This bill, officially titled the Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 but known substantively as the "SAVE America Act," would fundamentally change how Americans register to vote for federal offices. It would end the current practice where individuals can often register by signing a statement, or 'attesting,' that they are U.S. citizens. Instead, it requires all applicants to provide physical proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport, a birth certificate, or a naturalization certificate. This was a vote on "final passage," which is the final step a chamber takes to approve a bill before it moves toward becoming law. In the House of Representatives, most bills only need a simple majority—more than half of those voting—to pass. Because the 'yes' votes outnumbered the 'no' votes, the bill successfully passed the House. The outcome followed strict party lines, with Republicans supporting the measure and Democrats opposing it. Supporters argue the bill is necessary to ensure election integrity by preventing non-citizens from voting. Opponents argue that the new requirements create unnecessary hurdles for eligible American citizens who may not have easy access to the required physical documents.
The bill will be enrolled and sent to the President's desk to be signed into law or vetoed.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This represents a major shift in federal election policy, moving from a trust-based registration system to one requiring strict documentation of citizenship.
Who’s affected. Prospective Voters: Must now locate and present physical citizenship documents to register for federal elections. · Election Officials: Will need to implement new verification procedures and update registration systems across all states. · Mail-in Applicants: May be required to show proof of citizenship in person even if they register by mail.
Democrats. The Democratic caucus was nearly unanimous in its opposition, with 99 members voting 'no' and only one member voting 'yes.'
Republicans. The Republican caucus was united in favor, with all 107 participating members voting 'yes.'
On Passage
Feb 11, 2026
The House voted 218 to 213 to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to provide physical documentation of U.S.
citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. The bill passed on a nearly strict party-line vote.
This was the final vote in the House to approve the legislation. It required a simple majority of those present and voting to pass.
The bill will be enrolled and sent to the President's desk to be signed into law or vetoed.
This represents a major shift in federal election policy, moving from a trust-based registration system to one requiring strict documentation of citizenship.
The vote was almost entirely partisan, with the Republican majority voting in favor and the Democratic minority voting against.
The Democratic caucus was nearly unanimous in its opposition, with 99 members voting 'no' and only one member voting 'yes.'
The Republican caucus was united in favor, with all 107 participating members voting 'yes.'
The single independent member joined the Republicans in voting 'yes.'