Schumer criticizes GOP"s citizenship voting plan in spending bill debate

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has firmly opposed a GOP initiative to attach the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voting, to a crucial short-term spending bill. This spending package is essential to prevent a partial government shutdown at the end of the month. House Speaker Mike Johnson introduced a six-month continuing resolution that maintains current spending levels while incorporating the SAVE Act, which has garnered support from several conservative Republicans and former President Donald Trump. Despite the SAVE Act passing in the House with some bipartisan support, Schumer emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to achieve a spending deal. He indicated that the inclusion of the SAVE Act would not be acceptable to Democrats, who have previously expressed opposition to the bill, arguing that it is unnecessary since noncitizen voting is already illegal. The Biden administration has also criticized the bill, labeling its justification as based on falsehoods. Proponents of the SAVE Act, including Rep. Chip Roy and Sen. Mike Lee, argue that the measure reflects a common-sense approach to securing elections and that a majority of Americans support it. They view the push to include the bill in the spending package as a strategic move to compel Senate Democrats to take a public stance on the issue. As negotiations continue, the outcome remains uncertain, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell prioritizing government funding over the inclusion of the SAVE Act. The situation highlights the ongoing partisan divide over voting rights and election security in the current political landscape.