Foxx Opening Remarks on S. 1383

As prepared for delivery:

Good afternoon, the Committee will come to order. Without objection, the Chair is authorized to declare a recess at any time.

Today, the Rules Committee is convening to consider a single measure: S. 1383, the SAVE America Act.

Election integrity is one of many monumental issues that the American people care about.

They deserve to have confidence, not doubt, in our nation’s system of elections.

The only people who should vote in American elections are American citizens. There are no exceptions or debate about it.

The SAVE America Act would implement a series of commonsense safeguards that preserve the right of American citizens to cast their votes.

These safeguards include:

• The requirement of individuals to provide eligible photo documentation before casting their votes;
• The requirement of states to obtain proof of citizenship in person when registering an individual to vote;
• And, the requirement of states to properly maintain existing voter rolls by removing ineligible non-citizens.

Some will inevitably argue that this piece of legislation is nothing more than a partisan messaging tool – but that’s not even remotely the case.
 
This is about preserving election integrity and keeping elections in the hands of American citizens. I’m sure our friends on the other side will squawk about how this bill is designed to suppress voting and to try to rig our elections.

What I say to them, in response, is that this couldn’t be further from the truth. 
 
You already need a photo ID to get on a flight, to buy a pack of cigarettes, or to open a bank account. 
 
Shouldn’t one of the most important duties we have as citizens — voting — be held to at least the same standard? 
 
I certainly believe that to be true, and so do the American people in overwhelming numbers.
 
I’m very much looking forward to the discussion here today, and I now yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. McGovern, for any comments he wishes to make. 

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