House Republicans pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote

House Republicans passed a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections

The legislation has broad support among congressional Republicans and President Trump, but it does not have enough support to get the 60 votes needed for approval in the Senate

The bill prohibits states from accepting or processing a voter application without proof of citizenship

which includes a birth certificate, passport, or identification that's Real ID compliant

And we must ensure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat

Republicans cite surveys that show a strong majority of Americans support requiring people to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time

A 2024 Gallup poll found 83 percent are in favor, while 15 percent are opposed

Non-citizen voting reduces confidence in our elections. American elections are for American citizens, and we intend to keep it that way

Democrats contend this bill would make registering to vote a burden. They say many people's driver's licenses do not comply and that it would end registration by mail

American citizens would have to appear in person at an election office bring with them various documents and forms to register to vote Think about it Just to exercise your fundamental inalienable rights as a citizen of this country

Republicans would force Americans into a paperwork nightmare, burying voter registration or a mountain of bureaucracy and red tape

Republicans cited cases of non-citizens either voting or registering to vote in the last election

Democrats say this is not a problem that needs to be addressed. Federal law already requires people to attest under penalty of perjury

that they are U.S. citizens when they register to vote. Non-citizens attempting to register to vote is exceedingly rare

and if they do, they face severe consequences, including fines up to five years in prison and deportation

President Trump recently signed an executive order that creates a proof of citizenship requirement for voter registration

It also sets an election day deadline for mail-in ballots. Republicans say that this bill will at least in part codify that executive order

I'm Ray Bogan for Straight Arrow News. For more reporting, download the SAN app