Pennsylvania reacts to passing of “SAVE America” voter ID, citizenship Act

The Act would require documented proof of citizenship to register to vote, along with voter ID at the polls.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Reaction is pouring in from both sides of the aisle after the U.S. House passed the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and establish new voter identification standards nationwide.

Supporters say the bill is a necessary step to secure elections, while opponents argue it could federalize election oversight and create barriers for voters.

Pennsylvania conservative commentator and writer Guy Ciarrocci called the House vote progress toward restoring confidence in elections.

“The disappointment is that it wasn’t unanimous by a voice vote,” Ciarrocci said. “I think that everyone, regardless of party, should believe that elections should have three principles: It should be easy to vote, hard to cheat, and we have results that we trust.”

All Republicans in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation supported the bill, including Congressmen Scott Perry (PA-10) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

Democrats, however, have sharply criticized the legislation, arguing it could disenfranchise large portions of the electorate.

Advocates point to data showing nearly 10% of voting-age citizens do not have proof of citizenship readily available, which includes passports and birth certificates. They also warn married women could be required to provide additional documentation to verify name changes to their married names.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke out against the act Thursday in Philadelphia, tying the proposal to President Donald Trump and his recent comments about nationalizing elections.

“We believe the administration of elections should be nonpartisan, and we’re going to keep it that way,” Shapiro said. “We’re going to continue to respect the will of the people here in Pennsylvania, and we are not going to turn our elections over to Donald Trump.”

Republicans pushed back on the notion that citizens would not know how to prove who they are.

“It’s insulting to suggest that new American citizens can’t prove they’re citizens,” Ciarrocci said. “It’s insulting to suggest that racial minorities don’t know how to get ID. It’s insulting to suggest that married women don’t know how to prove their names.”

The bill now heads to the Senate, where some Republicans have floated eliminating the filibuster to pass it.

Republican leaders like State GOP Chair and State Senator Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) say ID is needed for everyday activities and should be a low-barrier safeguard, while Shapiro says his administration will continue to keep elections safe and secure.

“You have to show your ID to get on a train or to get into a public building,” Rothman said. “I always thought that was the greatest hypocrisy that I’m required to show an ID to get into a public building, but I’m not. I don’t have to show it to vote for those same public officials.”

“Elections are run by the states and by our counties,” Shapiro said. “It’s right there in our Constitution. And what we have seen in Pennsylvania is remarkable work from Republican and Democratic clerks of elections in all 67 counties.”