Fischer on Senate Floor: “Only U.S. Citizens Should Vote in U.S. Elections”

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) spoke on the Senate floor in support of the SAVE America Act, which she is a cosponsor of. The legislation would secure U.S. elections and protect citizens' votes by requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration and the use of voter ID at election polls.

In her speech, Fischer touts Nebraska's successful voter ID law, which was enacted in 2023.

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Transcript of Fischer's speech as prepared for delivery :

M. President,

Only U.S. citizens should vote in U.S. elections.

This is not a controversial statement. It is common sense.

Republicans have been voting to protect our elections.

But Senate Democrats want to make them less secure.

This is against the will of most Americans, and against the will of their own voters.

The SAVE America Act is simple: require proof of citizenship to register to vote and require a photo ID when you go to cast a ballot.

These are commonsense policies.

They have overwhelming public support.

But Democrats stand in opposition.

M. President, the polling numbers are clear.

A recent CBS News poll shows that 80% of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote.

That includes 65% of Democrats.

A Pew Research Center poll found 83% of voters support photo ID at the polls - including 71% of Democrats.

And 66% of Americans support requiring documents showing proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Proof of citizenship is required when you apply for government benefits.

It is required when you join the military.

Every single job in this country requires new hires to fill out a Form I-9 proving they are eligible to work here.

Americans show photo ID to drive a car, to pick up their kids early from school, to check into a hotel, to purchase cold medicine at the pharmacy, to board a plane, and to get a library card.

If we expect this of Americans in these instances, why on earth shouldn't we expect it when they vote?

We've applied this pragmatism in my home state of Nebraska.

In 2023, Nebraska adopted a law through the voter driven initiative process requiring voters to provide an ID with their name and photo when they vote.

There are many acceptable forms of ID in Nebraska.

A driver's license. A state ID card. A U.S. passport. A military ID. A tribal ID.

Nebraska has found a sensible way to verify voters' identities without restricting access for eligible voters.

In fact, Nebraskans can get an ID and certified copy of their birth certificate - at no cost - if they don't have one.

Here in Washington, Democrats have spent the past few weeks waffling on this issue.

In fact, Senator Schumer recently announced that Democrats do support voter ID.

So, my colleague Senator Husted, a former chief election official in his home state of Ohio, decided to take Senator Schumer at his word.

He offered a clean, basic photo ID bill.

Just a simple requirement to show photo ID at the polls: a driver's license, a military ID, a tribal ID, or a passport.

Guess what happened?

The Democrats blocked it.

They are completely unserious on this issue and out of step with the majority of Americans.

M. President, the stakes couldn't be higher.

America's election integrity is on the line.

The SAVE America Act is a commonsense solution - proof of citizenship to register, and photo ID to vote.

Every Democrat will be put on the record.

And the American people will be watching.

I urge my colleagues to support the SAVE America Act.

Thank you, M. President. I yield the floor.

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