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Floor Speech
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Mr. MARSHALL. Madam President, I sure am honored to be here on the Senate floor fighting to defend our democratic process with my friend and colleague from the great State of Utah.
Free, safe, secure, and fair elections are integral to the survival of our Republic. Without election integrity, the voice of American citizens--the foundation of our Republic--is at risk of being silenced.
Unfortunately, millions of Americans have lost confidence in the security of our elections. They question whether their vote truly matters or if their vote is being diluted by noncitizens. We must ensure that the outcome of our elections is determined by our own citizens, uninfluenced by illegal ballots. The heart of our democracy depends upon this.
Ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote in our elections isn't just necessary, it is common sense. I am proud to support the SAVE Act, which will protect our elections by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and an ID at the time of voting.
This shouldn't be a divisive issue. Nearly 80 percent of Americans-- Democrats, Republicans, Independents--all agree on this simple requirement--80 percent.
Now, again, this is common sense. You need an ID to drive. You need an ID to board a plane. You need an ID to get a fishing license. But voting is a sacred right with an even higher value than those other examples. Voting should demand the same standard. Protecting this right isn't controversial. It is common sense.
Right now, due to the crisis of our open southern border, at least 11 million illegal immigrants are in the United States today. That number alone could replace the population of 36 States, almost 4 times the population of Kansas. Imagine what that could do to our electoral process if left unchecked.
You know, friends back home--I just did a telephone townhall. They asked me the same question: Why do my colleagues across the aisle refuse to support a policy that 80 percent of Americans agree upon; that would make our elections freer, safer, more secure?
Well, let me tell you why. It is because they spent years courting illegal immigrants, ushering them into our country, ushering in over 12 million, hoping to tip the scales in key States. But we cannot let them highjack our elections.
Now, look, noncitizen voting is real. This isn't hypothetical. In Texas, Virginia, and Oregon, noncitizens have been found on the voting rosters. Additionally, California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, DC, already allow noncitizens to vote in local elections.
This is an immediate threat to the future of our democracy, and it demands action. This is a nonpartisan American issue. It is about protecting our country. Just as we reject foreign interference in our elections, we must reject noncitizen voting with equal seriousness.
And this is why Congress must act, and they can act today. This has already been passed in the House. We could pass this today. The President could sign it tomorrow, and away we go.
With the SAVE Act, we can restore faith in our elections. We are only 40 days away from the most consequential election in our lifetime. Time is running out. Our Republic depends on it. So let's act.
I would like to yield the floor back to my colleague from Utah.
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