[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S701]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            SAVE America Act

  Mrs. MOODY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of what should be 
a given. It is already law, common sense--a bill that supports this 
country and our citizens.
  I rise today to, in fact, speak on behalf of American citizens and in 
support of the rule of law, and I rise to say that we have to pass 
without delay the SAVE America Act. This would require ID to vote.
  This is something where the vast majority of Americans agree--
Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. The vast majority agree this 
should become law. According to the Pew Research Center, that is about 
83 percent of Americans that are in support of ID to vote. Breaking 
that down into groups, 76 percent of Black Americans support this idea, 
and 82 percent of Hispanic Americans support this idea. These are all 
groups that the Democrats claim this measure would harm.
  So my Democratic colleagues--coming up with excuse after excuse after 
excuse, which I suspect is just distraction from why they are really 
opposing this--my Democratic colleagues continue to block this reform, 
and they place partisan politics above the clear will of the American 
people.
  The United States of America, which will celebrate its 250th 
anniversary this year--indeed, this great American experiment--hinges 
on the sanctity and integrity of our elections. We must protect this 
institution and safeguard our democracy by ensuring that only Americans 
are allowed to participate in American elections.
  This just makes sense. If you need a valid ID to drive, to buy 
alcohol, to check into a hotel, why would you not need an ID to vote? 
In fact, even the mayor of NYC is now requiring people to provide IDs 
to take part in their snow-shoveling program. Yet they say it is 
unreasonable to expect Americans to provide one at the ballot box.
  Retaining election integrity should not be a partisan issue; it is 
foundational to our self-government. The SAVE America Act upholds the 
rule of law. It makes sure there are stronger protections in place 
across the country to ensure that only citizens can participate in our 
elections.
  When voters trust the system, participation increases. Secure 
elections will strengthen democracy. Ben Franklin famously replied to a 
bystander after the Constitutional Convention that we have a Republic 
if we can keep it. We must preserve our elections to preserve our 
Republic, and that is why it is so important that we pass the SAVE 
America Act.
  I yield the floor.
  Mrs. MOODY. I ask unanimous consent that the rollcall vote begin 
immediately.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.