The U.S. Senate debated the SAVE America Act on Saturday, legislation aimed at establishing additional safeguards related to voting procedures, including requirements tied to identification at registration and at the polls.
During the debate, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) addressed [1] arguments raised by Democrats who oppose provisions requiring official photo identification. Lee focused on claims that such requirements infringe on constitutionally protected voting rights.
“They [the Democrats] say, ‘Well, it’s [voting] a constitutionally-protected right. Darn right it is! And it’s our job to make sure that that’s protected. But the fact that it’s a constitutionally-protected right in no way, shape, or form means that we have to make it easy to vote, and screw the rest. Let’s let them cheat,” Lee said on the Senate floor.
The SAVE America Act is being considered as part of ongoing discussions in Congress about election procedures and voter eligibility.
Supporters of the bill have said it would strengthen safeguards surrounding elections, while opponents have raised concerns about potential impacts on voter access.
Lee continued his remarks by describing what he said is a repeated argument from Democrats regarding voting access.
“Their mantra appears to be, ‘Make it easy to vote and screw the rest, we don’t care,'” Lee said.
He argued that such an approach raises concerns about election integrity, including the potential for voter fraud, an issue he said Democrats frequently dismiss.
Lee stated that when ineligible individuals participate in elections, it affects eligible voters.
He said Democrats “ignore that when we allow [voter fraud] to happen,” the American people are in effect disenfranchised “because their vote matters less.”
According to Lee, votes cast by individuals “who might not be eligible to do so” can offset the votes of lawful voters in a given district.
Lee also addressed the characterization of voter ID requirements as disenfranchisement, comparing the process to other forms of identification required in daily life, including employment verification.
He challenged the legal reasoning behind claims that identification requirements violate constitutional protections.
“That’s not a rational conclusion, unless of course your objective is to facilitate noncitizen fraudulent voting in our elections, to the disenfranchisement of actual American citizens who are there to vote. This is not a victimless crime! And shame on my colleagues for suggesting otherwise,” Lee said.
In addition to his remarks on voter identification, Lee referenced broader disputes between states and federal agencies over access to voter data.
He pointed to resistance from certain states in sharing voter information with the Department of Homeland Security.
“Their argument that ‘TRUMP BAD’ equals no state should have to share its data, even where necessary in order to weed out FRAUD in federal elections,” Lee said.
“That argument isn’t good.”
The debate over the SAVE America Act comes amid ongoing discussions in Washington about election procedures, voter eligibility, and the role of federal and state governments in administering elections.
The legislation has drawn attention from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, with continued disagreement over how to balance election security measures with access to voting.
Senator Lee’s remarks were delivered as part of the broader Senate debate on the bill, which remains under consideration.