Thune to Bring SAVE America Act to the Senate Floor

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WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune's remarks below (as delivered):

"Mr. President, later today we will finish up the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act - the latest piece of legislation in Republicans' affordability agenda.

"And next week, I will be bringing the SAVE America Act to the floor.

"And we will be having a full and robust debate.

"So, Mr. President, what is the SAVE America Act?

"It is a package of commonsense policies - the kind of commonsense policies that should get an automatic 'yes' vote from literally every member of this body.

"At the core of the SAVE America Act is the requirement that individuals provide proof of citizenship to register to vote - and then show an ID when they go to the polls.

"In other words, it would require Americans to demonstrate that they're eligible to vote - and that they are who they say they are when they go to do so.

"Not to keep using the word commonsense, but … it's pretty commonsense, right?

"We require photo ID for a whole lot of things in this country - for obvious reasons.

"Getting on a plane?

"Show your official, government-issued photo ID.

"Go to the doctor?

"Same thing.

"Provide your government-issued photo ID plus your insurance card.

"Get hired for a new job?

"Provide your government-issued photo ID when you start.

"Mr. President, public libraries ask for a photo ID.

"In New York City, you have to provide some type of photo ID to get a library card.

"Baltimore, Maryland?

"Same thing.

"Washington, D.C.?

"Again, photo ID.

"Mr. President, I'll stop with the list of libraries.

"But I think we can all agree that if you have to show photo ID - and prove where you live - to get a library card, it's not too much to ask voters to show ID to vote in federal elections.

"It takes about 10 seconds - and protects the security of our elections.

"Mr. President, Americans overwhelmingly agree that voters should have to show ID at the polls.

"Eighty-three percent of Americans - 83 percent - in an August 2025 poll supported requiring photo ID at the polls for all voters.

"That includes 71 percent of Democrats, 76 percent of Black Americans, 77 percent of Asian Americans, and 82 percent of Hispanic Americans.

"It kind of feels like the only Americans not to support voter ID requirements are Democrats here in Congress.

"That's right.

"We're expecting continued full-throated opposition to voter ID and the SAVE America Act from Senate Democrats - as well as more of the unforgiveable rhetoric that Democrats have already been engaging in.

"The Democrat leader has been calling this bill 'Jim Crow 2.0' - a phrase that is not only deeply irresponsible and insulting to those who actually lived through that dark chapter in our history, but also insults the overwhelming majority of Americans - including minorities - who look at voter ID and see nothing more than common sense.

"In fact, Mr. President, I can really see only two reasons for Democrats' opposing this legislation:

"Either Democrats are just reflexively opposing this proposal because it originated from Republicans.

"Or Democrats believe that there are in fact people out there voting illegally and that it's benefiting Democrats.

"And they want to keep it going.

"I honestly cannot think of another reason to oppose something so eminently reasonable as requiring people to demonstrate that they're eligible to vote - and that they are who they say they are when they go to the polls.

"Mr. President, I'll have a lot more to say about the SAVE America Act next week - including about two other commonsense measures in the bill that would prevent biological males from competing in women's sports and protect minors from gender transition procedures.

"Two other things, I should note, that are supported by the American people.

"Mr. President, I can't guarantee an outcome on this legislation.

"But I can guarantee that we are going to put Democrats on the record.

"That they will be forced to defend their outrageous positions on these issues - and explain to the American people why common sense and the Democratic Party have parted ways.

"Mr. President, Republicans are looking forward to this debate.

"And I look forward to saying much more about the SAVE America Act in the very near future."

Permalink: https://www.thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/3/thune-to-bring-save-america-act-to-the-senate-floor