House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke with reporters on April 10, 2025, shortly after Republicans in the House approved a budget plan that supports key parts of former President Donald Trump’s policy goals. The conversation took place at the Capitol in Washington, following the vote. ABC News
One year ago this week, House Speaker Mike Johnson stood beside Donald Trump at a press conference in Florida. There, they introduced a new plan: a bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote. This moment wasn’t just about taking pictures. It marked the beginning of a controversial effort to tighten voter registration rules.
That plan became the SAVE Act — short for Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act. The bill says people must show in-person proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or passport, before registering to vote. It also demands that states create systems to remove undocumented immigrants from voter lists. And it lets citizens sue election officials who don’t follow the rules.
The House voted on it recently. The bill passed 220 to 208. Every Republican supported it. Four Democrats joined them: Ed Case from Hawaii, Henry Cuellar from Texas, Jared Golden from Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington.
So what’s the problem with this bill? According to many experts and lawmakers, it solves an issue that doesn’t exist. Right now, no noncitizen is allowed to vote in federal or state elections. That’s already the law in every part of the country. So the SAVE Act doesn’t change that — it just adds extra steps for legal voters.
Supporters of the bill say it’s needed to stop illegal voting. But there’s no real proof that noncitizens are voting in national elections. Republicans have tried to find examples but haven’t come up with any solid evidence. Last year, Mike Johnson even said they “intuitively” believe it’s happening — which means they feel it’s true, even if they can’t prove it.
Critics warn that the bill would make it harder for regular Americans to vote. For example, not everyone has a passport or can easily get a birth certificate. Getting those documents takes time and money. Voting rights groups say this could stop many people from registering, especially married women who’ve changed their last names. Their birth certificates might not match their new names.
State officials from both political parties have raised concerns, too. They say the new rules could be expensive and tough to carry out. They also say they already have strong systems to make sure only citizens vote.
Some people believe there’s a deeper reason behind the bill. Speaker Johnson once said Democrats want to bring in immigrants to “turn them into voters.” This idea has no basis in fact. Immigrants must wait many years before they can even apply to vote legally. Still, critics say that comment reveals what the bill is really about: fear and political control.
Despite the concerns, the bill now heads to the Senate. Senator Mike Lee from Utah supports a similar version there. But because the Senate is controlled by Democrats, the SAVE Act is unlikely to move forward anytime soon.
