House Speaker Mike Johnson announced Saturday that Republicans will make a fourth attempt to pass the SAVE Act, the controversial legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote and photo identification to cast a ballot in federal elections.

The move comes after three previous failed attempts in the House, where a faction of hardline Republicans has repeatedly blocked procedural votes, frustrating GOP leadership's efforts to deliver on a key campaign promise to President Trump.

What the SAVE Act Would Require

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act mandates that Americans provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote for federal elections. The updated version, sometimes called the SAVE America Act, also requires voters to present a valid government-issued photo ID before casting their ballots.

Currently, federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting, but there is no uniform requirement for documentary proof of citizenship during voter registration. The SAVE Act would change that by requiring documents such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization certificate.

Republican Internal Divisions Persist

Speaker Johnson's announcement acknowledges the challenges facing House Republican leadership. Fourteen Republicans tanked a procedural vote this week on the National Defense Authorization Act, demonstrating the slim margin for error in the narrowly divided chamber.

"We will move quickly on this," Johnson said, according to reports from Newsmax. The speaker has struggled throughout the year to bridge gaps between moderate Republicans, MAGA loyalists, and those willing to compromise on key legislation.

Stakes High for November Midterms

Republicans argue the legislation is essential to protecting election integrity ahead of the November midterms. Supporters contend that requiring proof of citizenship will prevent potential fraud and increase public confidence in election results.

Democrats have uniformly opposed the measure, arguing it would create unnecessary barriers to voting and disenfranchise eligible voters who may lack easy access to the required documentation. They point out that documented cases of non-citizens voting in federal elections are extremely rare.

The bill faces an uncertain path even if it clears the House, as Senate passage would require Democratic cooperation or a rules change that appears unlikely before the election.