House GOP Support ‘Surging’ to Tie SAVE Act to Funding Deal, Says Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

 

Anna Paulina Luna with Donald Trump

House GOP Support ‘Surging’ to Tie SAVE Act to Funding Deal, Says Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) says momentum is building within the House Republican conference to force a vote on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act by linking it to upcoming government funding legislation.

In a post on X Thursday, Luna said another Republican lawmaker had pledged support for efforts to attach the SAVE Act to any bill the Senate sends back to the House as lawmakers race to avoid a potential partial government shutdown at the end of the month.

“I have received a phone call from another Republican member who has stated that they will back us in our efforts at attaching the SAVE Act to any piece of legislation that Schumer sends back to the House,” Luna wrote.

The Florida congresswoman has argued that the SAVE Act — which would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections — is unlikely to pass as a standalone bill, making a funding package the most viable legislative vehicle.

“ The SAVE Act won’t pass standalone — that’s why it must be in the funding package,” Luna said, adding that multiple GOP members have expressed support for the strategy.

Last week, Luna warned she was prepared to disrupt House proceedings if the Senate did not take up the bill. Her comments come as Senate Democrats voted Thursday to block legislation that would have funded the Department of Homeland Security, further complicating bipartisan talks to keep the government open.

If Congress fails to pass appropriations by Jan. 31, parts of the federal government could face a shutdown.

Some Republicans have signaled they are willing to link election security measures to must-pass funding legislation in an effort to increase leverage in negotiations with the Senate.

Democratic leaders have opposed the SAVE Act, arguing that existing federal and state safeguards already prevent non-citizens from voting and warning that additional documentation requirements could create barriers for eligible voters.

With the funding deadline approaching, the debate over whether election-related provisions should be included in appropriations bills is likely to intensify in both chambers.

FAQs: Push to Tie the SAVE Act to the Government Funding Deal

1. What is the SAVE Act?
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a proposed bill that would require proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

2. What is Rep. Anna Paulina Luna proposing?
Rep. Luna says House Republicans should attach the SAVE Act to the upcoming government funding legislation so it must be addressed to keep the government open.

3. Why link the SAVE Act to a funding bill?
According to Luna, the SAVE Act is unlikely to pass as a standalone bill, so tying it to must-pass funding legislation increases the pressure for it to be considered.

4. What role does the Senate play in this?
Senate Democrats have blocked related funding legislation, and any final government funding package must pass both the House and Senate.

5. What happens if Congress doesn’t pass a funding bill by Jan. 31?
A partial government shutdown could occur if lawmakers fail to approve a budget or continuing resolution.

6. What proof of citizenship would the SAVE Act require?
While details vary by proposal version, it generally calls for documents such as a U.S. passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers when registering.

7. Is there broad GOP support for this strategy?
Luna says multiple House Republicans have privately expressed support for attaching the SAVE Act to the appropriations package.

8. Has this tactic been used before?
Lawmakers from both parties have historically attached policy priorities to must-pass spending bills to gain leverage.

9. What are critics saying?
Opponents argue that tying election policy to funding bills risks a shutdown and could complicate bipartisan negotiations.

10. What happens next?
Negotiations continue as the Jan. 31 deadline approaches, with lawmakers deciding whether election policy will be included in the final funding package.