February 17, 2026 Story by: Publisher
The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 22, officially known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. Approved on February 11, 2026, by a narrow margin of 218–213, the bill represents the most significant proposed overhaul of federal voter registration since the 1990s.
However, its momentum now hits a major roadblock in the Senate. To overcome an all-but-certain filibuster, the bill requires a 60-vote supermajority—a daunting task in a chamber currently split down the middle.
The filibuster is a powerful legislative tactic used in the United States Senate to delay or block a vote on a proposal by speaking for an extended period. While often associated with marathon speeches, the modern “silent” filibuster effectively means that most major legislation requires a 60-vote supermajority to move forward, rather than a simple majority of 51.
Originally intended to protect the rights of the minority party and encourage bipartisan compromise, it has become a central point of debate in American politics.
Republicans said they have secured the simple majority needed to advance the legislation after Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced her support. The bill would require voters to present government-issued photo identification at the polls and provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
The SAVE Act now advances to the Senate but faces slim chances of passing the chamber, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune says it does not have the votes needed to change the Senate’s filibuster rules, which require 60 votes to advance legislation.
What is the SAVE Act?
At its core, the SAVE Act aims to amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. It seeks to transition the U.S. from a “self-attestation” system—where voters swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury—to a “documentary proof” system.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
- Mandatory Proof of Citizenship: To register for federal elections, individuals must provide physical documents, such as a U.S. passport, a birth certificate (accompanied by photo ID), or a Naturalization Certificate.
- In-Person Requirements: For those registering by mail or through voter drives, the bill requires that citizenship documents be presented in person to an election official.
- Voter Roll Purges: States would be required to cross-reference their voter rolls with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases and remove anyone whose citizenship cannot be verified.
- Criminal Penalties: The Act establishes stiff penalties for election officials who register individuals without the required documentation, even if those individuals are actually U.S. citizens.
Major hurdles identified by critics include:
- Missing Documents: Approximately 21 million Americans lack ready access to a passport or birth certificate. This is particularly true for low-income citizens, the elderly, and rural voters.
- The “Marriage Gap”: An estimated 69 million American women have names on their current IDs that do not match their birth certificates due to marriage or divorce. Under the SAVE Act, these women might need to produce marriage licenses or court orders just to register.
- End of Modern Convenience: By requiring in-person verification, the bill could effectively end online voter registration and automatic voter registration (AVR) in the 42 states that currently use them.
“The SAVE Act would be the first time in our history that Congress passed a law specifically designed to restrict access to voting,” said Wendy Weiser, Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future is far from certain. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has previously labeled similar versions of the bill “dead on arrival,” and it would require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
Source: Brennan Center / United States House of Representative
