Republican Accomplishments for the American People

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the vice chairman for yielding me time tonight.

Mr. Speaker, election officials from my home State of Tennessee are perplexed as to why they are not allowed to certify U.S. citizenship when registering individuals to vote. Oftentimes, they tell me it is against Federal law, and they have no idea why.

That is why today the House passed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act, which will update this archaic and idiotic impediment to securing our Nation's elections. Not only will it allow State election officials to ask prospective voters to certify their citizenship status, but it will require it by law.

My friends on the left and in the mainstream media love to argue how voting in American elections as a noncitizen is already illegal. Well, Mr. Speaker, so is entering our country illegally through the southern border. That doesn't seem to stop progressive Democrats or the Biden administration from welcoming them into our communities with open arms.

Additionally, in order to certify one's citizenship, the SAVE Act requires an individual to actually provide proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. Again, my friends would argue that this isn't necessary because it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in Federal elections. Well, how do we currently confirm people's citizenship status? We require would-be voters to swear but not prove that they are U.S. citizens.

Democrats love to imagine a world that exists where no one, I repeat no one, is lying when filling out these applications because according to them, illegal immigrants don't vote in our elections. Give me a break.

The SAVE Act is as common sense as it gets. It protects what is most sacred to Americans--their right to vote. It allows State officials to accept a wide variety of documents to make it easy to register, provide States with access to Federal databases so that they can remove noncitizens from their rolls, and it requires the Department of Homeland Security to notify a State chief election official whenever an individual has been naturalized to ensure that our newest citizens who come to America the right way can exercise their right to vote.

I truly have no idea why anyone would be opposed to this bill, Mr. Speaker. Perhaps those opposed fear that with 100 percent secure and safe elections in the United States that they would not remain competitive in the next election. I truly can't think of any other reason to not vote for this bill.

It is no secret, Mr. Speaker. The Democrats have started saying the quiet part out loud. Letting millions of illegal immigrants into our country and letting them vote--that is their plan.

Republicans have a different plan for America--one built on honesty, safety, security, and accountability.

I stand in support of the millions of Americans who feel like their priorities, their votes, are being thrown away by each illegal immigrant voting in American elections. That is why I rise in support of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility or SAVE Act.

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