Future for voter ID bill unclear in Senate
Source: Roll Call
Posted April 22, 2026 at 2:54pm
Five weeks ago, Senate Republicans said they were bracing for an extended fight as they kicked off debate on their marquee election overhaul bill. Now, they have quietly set aside whats known as the SAVE America Act. The question is: For how long? And is there an appetite to return to debating a bill that currently doesnt have a chance for passage?
Its unclear what the future looks like for the legislation, which would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID at the polls. Republicans havent garnered the Democratic support they would need for passage under the chambers 60-vote threshold. Nor has the extended floor debate changed the minds of most Senate Republicans when it comes to blowing up the chambers rules on the filibuster to lower that threshold to 51.
The Senate had planned to stay on the legislation, but new priorities with impending deadlines sucked much of the oxygen away from it once they returned last week from their spring recess.
And for the moment, it has essentially been abandoned.
Read more: https://rollcall.com/2026/04/22/future-for-voter-id-bill-unclear-in-senate/
AZJonnie
(3,843 posts)This: "require proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo ID at the polls" is the tip of the iceberg.
If that's ALL it was, it might just pass.
BumRushDaShow
(170,947 posts)I.e., they want to (illegally) use the "reconciliation budget process" to fund the regular fiscal year appropriation for ICE without (D) votes and that could take who knows how long. And they will NOT give up their "summer vacation" in July/August because it's an election year and they have to campaign.
PLUS they are working on the FY'27 Appropriations bills for everyone else AND a Farm Bill that lapsed back in 2018 that they keep on extending.
So those couple of months of time wasted not being in session so they could "own the libs" last fall, have come back to haunt them.
The "schedule" issue has also come up with respect to nominations and confirmation hearings to replace those who have been fired or have resigned, as the "Actings" can only serve in that role for a fixed amount of time - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143655235
ProudMNDemocrat
(20,966 posts)Which is why it did not pass in the Senate. Democrats made hay about women whose name changed upon marriage would see their right to vote eliminated, plus voter information given to the DOJ for scrutiny.