Senate Votes on Save America Act

 

During the Senate’s marathon “vote-a-rama” session on June 4, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) forced a vote on the House-passed version of the SAVE America Act.

The amendment passed by a vote of 50-49, giving the measure majority support in the chamber. Advertisement However, because the proposal was offered as a waiver to budget rules within the reconciliation process, Senate rules required a three-fifths supermajority, or 60 votes, for adoption.

The amendment passed by a vote of 50-49, giving the measure majority support in the chamber. Advertisement However, because the proposal was offered as a waiver to budget rules within the reconciliation process, Senate rules required a three-fifths supermajority, or 60 votes, for adoption

The legislation would require proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration and strengthen voter identification requirements nationwide

GOP Sen. Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina all opposed it.

When Lee later introduced the clean House version of the legislation, Collins switched her vote and joined the rest of the Republican conference in support of the measure.

The final 50-49 tally demonstrated that supporters of the SAVE Act can assemble a Senate majority behind the legislation, though not the supermajority required under current Senate rules.

Vice President JD Vance, who serves as president of the Senate and can cast tie-breaking votes, was available if needed, meaning supporters effectively demonstrated they could secure 51 votes in favor of the proposal.