Byron Donalds Calls Out Senate Dems Blocking Proof of Citizenship Vote

Florida Rep. Byron Donalds is calling out both Senate Democrats and the Republican-controlled Senate for blocking the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote in federal elections.

The SAVE Act passed the House of Representatives in April by a narrow 216–208 vote. Republicans were unified in support, joined by four Democrats: Reps. Ed Case of Hawaii, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, and Marie Perez of Washington. Despite House passage, the bill has not advanced in the Senate.

The legislation would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require documentary proof of citizenship for participation in federal elections.

Under current law, voters are not required to present proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. passport or a REAL ID, when voting for president, the U.S. House, or the U.S. Senate.

According to the bill text, states would be prohibited from processing voter registrations unless applicants provide proof of citizenship.

Acceptable documentation would include a REAL ID–compliant driver’s license, a U.S. passport, or a certified birth certificate paired with a government-issued photo ID.

The bill would also require states to actively remove noncitizens from voter rolls using federal databases, including the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements system and Social Security Administration verification tools.

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The SAVE Act would mandate that states establish voter eligibility verification programs within 30 days of enactment.

Federal agencies would be required to provide citizenship data to state election officials within 24 hours of a request at no cost.

The legislation also includes criminal penalties for election officials found to have knowingly registered noncitizens.

The Department of Homeland Security would be tasked with investigating and potentially deporting any noncitizen found to be unlawfully registered to vote.

Senate Democrats have publicly opposed the bill.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor in April that no Democrat would support the SAVE Act and described it as a threat to the Democratic Party’s future.

Schumer labeled the legislation “voter suppression” and compared it to Jim Crow laws.

“The kind of legislation, the kind of executive orders, which are so jaundiced, so slanted on the side of one party, are the antithesis of democracy,” Schumer said.

He continued, “On the other, Republicans in Congress are pushing the SAVE Act, one of the most destructive, dangerous voter suppression bills in recent memory. It is very reminiscent of Jim Crow.”

Schumer added, “They want to not only restore Jim Crow in the south, they want to have Jim Crow spread from one end of this country to the other. It will not happen. It will not happen. Let me be clear. I will not let this noxious bill, the Save Act, become law. Every Senate Democrat, every single one of us is united against it. They need 60 votes. The SAVE Act is dead on arrival.”

🚨 JUST IN: Chuck Schumer announces that the SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote nationwide, is DONE. Won’t go to Trump’s desk. DOA.

It needs 60 votes. Schumer turned around, looked at Republicans, and gloated as he said this.

“The SAVE Act [will]… pic.twitter.com/Kbl1mYFfSy

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 30, 2025

Utah Sen. Mike Lee weighed in publicly, posting on X that, “The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections, passed the House in April. The Senate should send it to President Trump’s desk for signature ASAP. Do you agree?”

The SAVE Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register and vote in federal elections, passed the House in April.

The Senate should send it to President Trump’s desk for signature ASAP.

Do you agree? https://t.co/ptP4hkyO76

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) December 28, 2025

Donalds responded by criticizing the Senate’s failure to act and pressing for immediate passage. “The SAVE Act ensures ONLY US CITIZENS can vote in US elections,” Donalds said.

He added, “LAST YEAR: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act, but Senate Dems blocked us. 264 DAYS AGO: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act again, but it’s held-up in the Senate. I agree with @SenMikeLee—It’s time to PASS THE SAVE ACT NOW!”

The SAVE Act ensures ONLY US CITIZENS can vote in US elections.

LAST YEAR: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act, but Senate Dems blocked us.

264 DAYS AGO: @HouseGOP PASSED The SAVE Act again, but it’s held-up in the Senate.

I agree with @SenMikeLee—It’s time to PASS THE SAVE ACT NOW! https://t.co/144UVpyU7D

— Congressman Byron Donalds (@RepDonaldsPress) December 30, 2025

Elon Musk responded to the exchange by writing, “This is essential.”

This is essential https://t.co/2bgfpS48XB

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 31, 2025

Donalds later called for eliminating the filibuster to advance the legislation.

“Eliminate the Filibuster. Pass The Save Act. Put the AMERICAN PEOPLE FIRST. ONLY US CITIZENS should be able to vote in US elections,” he said.

Last month, President Donald Trump again urged Republicans to terminate the filibuster to move election-related legislation forward as negotiations continued over reopening the government.

“The Democrats are cracking like dogs on the Shutdown because they are deathly afraid that I am making progress with the Republicans on TERMINATING THE FILIBUSTER!” Trump said in a statement. “Whether we make a Deal or not, THE REPUBLICANS MUST ‘BLOW UP’ THE FILIBUSTER, AND APPROVE HUNDREDS OF LONG SOUGHT, BUT NEVER GOTTEN, POLICY WINS LIKE, AS JUST A SMALL EXAMPLE, VOTER ID (IDENTIFICATION). Only a LOSER would not agree to doing this!”

In a later post, Trump again wrote, “TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!”

The President has repeatedly called on Senate Republicans to invoke the nuclear option to pass voter ID requirements and other election measures, arguing that Democrats will eventually do the same.

“I wouldn’t have been in favor of that a long time ago, but you know, the Democrats are going to do that,” Trump said.

“So why aren’t we doing it?”