Sen. Mike Lee addressed criticism of the SAVE AMERICA Act during remarks following a late-night Senate session, disputing claims that the legislation would prevent certain Americans from voting.
Lee said he had spent hours on the Senate floor debating the bill and responding to arguments raised by opponents.
He focused on what he described as repeated claims that the legislation would disenfranchise voters who lack identification documents or cannot afford to obtain them.
“Okay, I know it’s late. I got a good excuse for being up late. I was on the Senate floor late tonight debating the merits of the SAVE AMERICA Act,” Lee said.
He described the arguments he has heard from critics as widespread, both in the chamber and in public discussion.
“One of the arguments that I’ve seen and heard made over and over again on the Senate floor and on social media and elsewhere, but including on the Senate floor multiple times today, is this absurd argument that goes something like this,” Lee said.
Lee outlined the claims he was responding to, saying opponents argue that voters without certain documents would be unable to participate.
“If the safe America Act passes, then if you don’t have a passport, you’re not going to be able to vote, or if you can’t find your documents and can’t afford to spend a lot of money getting those documents, you’re not going to be able to vote,” he said.
He continued, “Therefore, it’s going to disenfranchise people who don’t have their documents on hand and don’t have a lot of disposable income to spend on look, all this is a lie.”
Lee pointed to specific language in the House-passed version of the legislation, directing attention to provisions he said address those concerns.
“Go to the House passed bill, the SAVE AMERICA Act, the same bill that we turned to today. Go to page 12, line 22 and the text that follows from that and onto the next page, it makes very clear you don’t have to shell out a dime,” he said.
He emphasized that the bill includes mechanisms for voters who do not have access to documentation.
“You can’t find your documents. You never had them. Your dog ate them, your house burned down, whatever. No problem. We’ve made accommodation for that,” Lee said.
Lee also noted that the bill includes provisions for individuals who have changed their names.
“If you can’t, if you’ve gotten married and you’ve changed your name to where it’s your married last name, we’re taking care of that too,” he said.
According to Lee, the legislation allows voters to rely on sworn statements while placing verification responsibilities on state authorities.
“You can handle that by affidavit and put the burden on the state to track down the background documentation without shelling out a dime,” he said.
He reiterated that these accommodations apply even in situations where documentation is unavailable.
“Even if you don’t have any of the documentation because your house burned down, your dog ate it, or you never had it, or whatever,” Lee said.
Lee also criticized Democratic lawmakers for continuing to make claims he said are not supported by the bill’s text.
“You’ve got to stop lying about this, Democrats,” he said.
He argued that continued criticism of the legislation could affect the credibility of other arguments made by opponents.
“Because the fact is, the more you lie about this, the more it calls into Question your other specious arguments,” Lee said.
Lee specifically referenced broader debates surrounding election integrity.
“Including the fact that voter fraud supposedly never happens, or that non citizens never register to vote and never do vote,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating his position that the claims about the bill are inaccurate.
“You’re exposing those as lies as well, but you’re lying about the bill. Stop it,” Lee said.
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