SAVE Act passes the House, but what is next for it?
By Easton Martin | February 12, 2026
The House of Representatives narrowly passed the Save America Act on Wednesday in a 218 to 213 vote, marking a significant victory for Republican leadership but setting up a formidable legislative hurdle in the Senate.
This latest version of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility legislation aims to mandate documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration and implement a nationwide photo identification requirement.
While the bill cleared the House with nearly unified Republican support and a single Democratic vote from Representative Henry Cuellar of Texas, its prospects in the upper chamber appear bleak. Senate rules require a 60-vote threshold to overcome a filibuster, a margin that Republicans currently lack.
Further, the legislation faces internal resistance within the GOP. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska has already signaled her opposition, citing concerns over federal overreach and the administrative burden placed on states already deep into election preparations.
The Save America Act goes further than its 2025 predecessor by explicitly banning student IDs and requiring voters who register by mail to present citizenship documents in person. Proponents argue these measures are essential to ensure that only U.S. citizens participate in federal elections. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized that the bill provides necessary safeguards to maintain public confidence in the democratic process.
