Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has signalled a possible break with President Donald Trump over the Safeguard American Voters Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote. In a letter to a constituent posted on social media, Grassley expressed sympathy for election security concerns but added: “I do not believe that Iowa and other states need politicians in Washington, D.C., dictating and controlling how states run their elections.”
The SAVE Act, introduced by Texas Republican Representative Chip Roy, passed the House on April 10 by 220-208 and now awaits Senate consideration. Critics argue it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters lacking easy access to identification documents. The Brennan Center estimates 146 million people lack a passport, and 13 million US citizens lack ready access to citizenship documents.
Grassley later clarified his position on X (Twitter), writing: “Dont believe everything u read on the internet Im not opposed 2 SAVE Act.” He noted he has been “fighting alongside Iowa Scty of State Pate 2hold Biden admin accountable for their hiding immigration/citizenship voter data in 2024 election.”
President Trump has repeatedly called for voter ID laws, posting on Truth Social last August: “Voter I.D. Must Be Part of Every Single Vote. NO EXCEPTIONS!” However, he has not issued an executive order to that effect. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told PolitiFact the administration remains committed to securing elections.
Currently, 36 states require voters to present ID at the polls, while 14 states and DC use other verification methods. Vermont Democratic Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas labelled the SAVE Act “a voter suppression tactic that’s dressed up as some sort of reform.”
