Senate Democrats oppose SAVE America Act ahead of Republican vote

While Senate Republicans prepare to vote on the Save America Act this week, Democrats oppose the voter ID bill that President Donald Trump strongly supports.

Although House Republicans passed a version of the bill mostly along party lines in February, they still need 60 votes in the Senate to bypass the filibuster. Senate Republicans, with just a 53-47 majority, cannot advance the legislation without support from Democrats in the upper chamber unless lawmakers change the filibuster rule.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday he would introduce the legislation to the chamber for a vote this week to “get Democrats on the record.”

While multiple versions of the legislation are floating around, it’s unclear which one Thune might bring to the Senate for a vote next week.

“We don’t know what Thune is doing yet… but we are prepared for every possible scenario,” New York Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told reporters at a news conference Sunday afternoon.

“My caucus feels very strongly that this is going to be a real horror … one of the worst things that has ever happened in the history of this country in terms of people being allowed to vote,” he said.

Lately Bill passed by the house Americans will need to show proof of citizenship, such as a certified birth certificate or passport, to register to vote in federal elections. The bill would also require photo identification for voting in person or by mail.

If enacted, the law could cause “massive voter suppression” for those who do not comply, according to Marc Elias, founder of the voter rights organization Democracy Docket, who spoke to reporters during a meeting on Sunday.

“Most people don’t have a passport, and frankly most people don’t have ready access to an original or certified copy of their birth certificate,” he said.

Some 21 million Americans Those who do not have easily accessible documents to prove their citizenship and 2.6 million Americans They do not have government-issued photo identification, according to the Brennan Center for Justice and the University of Maryland Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement.

Through fiscal year 2025, the U.S. State Department estimates roughly 27.3 million passportsAccording to the latest data, it contained approximately 4.5 million passport cards.

The bill, passed in February, would also require each state to regularly submit a list of eligible voters to the Department of Homeland Security for non-citizens to be identified and removed from voter rolls.

“What they’re trying to do here is truly appalling, and that really motivates my group to do everything we can to stop it,” Schumer said during Sunday’s call. “This is just a cynical attempt by Donald Trump to steal the election.”

CNBC has reached out to the White House for comment in response to criticism of the legislation from Schumer and voting rights activists.

The Save America Act vote expected next week will come less than eight months before the November midterm elections, which could threaten Republicans’ control of the Senate and House of Representatives.

In recent months, Trump has increasingly focused on elections, saying Republicans should “nationalize” elections and could impose voter ID requirements by executive order. Trump also stated that the SAVE America Act should be enacted immediately.

“This must be done immediately. It is above all else. HE MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE,” he said. Real Social post last week. “As president, I will not sign any other bills until this becomes law.”

— CNBC’s Justin Papp contributed to this story