Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025

Bill Number: S. 1383
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-03-26: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1647)
Last Updated: 2026-07-11T19:24:57Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE America Act) aims to strengthen voter eligibility verification for federal elections by requiring documentary proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and photo identification for casting ballots. It seeks to prevent non-citizens from registering or voting, enhancing election integrity while maintaining access for eligible voters.

Key Provisions

Proof of Citizenship for Registration (Section 2):
Defines "documentary proof of U.S. citizenship" as items like a REAL ID-compliant driver's license (a secure ID meeting federal standards), U.S. passport, military ID with birth records, government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birth, or other IDs paired with a certified birth certificate, hospital birth record, adoption decree, naturalization certificate, or similar documents.
Mandates that states reject voter registration applications for federal elections unless this proof is provided via any method (in-person, mail, driver's license applications, or public agencies).
For mail registrations, applicants must present proof in person to election officials by deadlines or at polling places; states must notify applicants and accommodate disabilities.
Allows processes for name discrepancies (e.g., via affidavits) or applicants without documents (e.g., alternative evidence with official review and affidavit).
Requires states to submit voter rolls to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for checks via the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system to identify and remove non-citizens after notice and opportunity to prove citizenship.
Permits use of other data sources (e.g., Social Security databases) for verification, with federal agencies required to share information promptly and without fees.
Authorizes removal of non-citizens from rolls upon verified evidence and imposes criminal penalties for officials aiding non-citizen registration or false registrations.
Exempts absent uniformed services voters; includes rules for states without registration systems and preserves provisional balloting rights.
Directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to issue implementation guidance within 10 days and exempts related forms from the Paperwork Reduction Act (a law limiting federal paperwork burdens).
Requires DHS to notify states of new naturalized citizens for registration.

Photo ID for Voting (Section 3):
Requires valid photo ID (e.g., driver's license, passport, military ID, or tribal ID with photo and expiration date) for in-person voting in federal elections; without it, voters get provisional ballots (temporary ballots verified later) but must provide ID or a religious objection affidavit within 3 days.
For absentee or mail ballots, voters must submit a photo ID copy or the last four digits of their Social Security number plus an affidavit of inability to obtain a copy after reasonable efforts.
Exempts absent uniformed services voters and those under accessibility laws for elderly/handicapped.
Mandates public access to free copying devices (e.g., scanners) at government buildings like libraries and courts.
Requires notification of ID rules during voter registration, including online systems.
EAC to provide voluntary guidance by October 1, 2025.

General Rules:
Applies to federal elections upon enactment; does not affect state exemptions from other federal laws or provisional ballot counting for verified citizens.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA) by replacing self-attestation of citizenship with mandatory documentary proof, adding removal processes using federal databases, and expanding criminal penalties to include aiding non-citizen registration.
Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) by inserting new photo ID requirements for voting, building on existing provisional ballot rules but tying eligibility verification to ID submission.
Shifts from optional or state-varying citizenship checks to uniform federal mandates, including SAVE system integration and inter-agency data sharing not previously required.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: Increases workload for state election officials (e.g., verifying documents, managing notifications, and database checks) and federal entities like DHS and EAC (e.g., SAVE processing, guidance issuance, and notifications). May raise costs for free copying access but prohibits fees for federal verifications.
Citizens: Eligible U.S. citizens must gather and present specific documents, potentially complicating registration for those without easy access (e.g., rural residents, elderly, or low-income individuals), though alternatives like affidavits and accommodations are provided. Non-citizens face stricter barriers to erroneous registration, with risks of removal and immigration investigations.
International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but enhanced SAVE use and DHS notifications could indirectly affect naturalization processes for immigrants by linking citizenship status to voting rolls.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Voters: All U.S. citizens registering or voting in federal elections, particularly those using mail or without standard IDs; naturalized citizens benefit from DHS notifications.
Election Officials: State and local administrators responsible for implementation, verification, and roll maintenance.
Federal Agencies: DHS (SAVE system, investigations), EAC (guidance, forms), and others (e.g., Social Security Administration for data sharing).
States and Local Governments: Must update systems, provide notifications, and ensure accessibility; non-registration states adapt with pre-voting citizenship checks.
Non-Citizens and Immigrants: Face heightened scrutiny, potential removal from rolls, and immigration enforcement ties.
Advocacy Groups: Voter rights organizations (concerned with access) and election integrity advocates (supporting verification).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Expands private rights of action against officials for improper registrations and strengthens enforcement under NVRA/HAVA, but may invite lawsuits over burdens on voting rights (e.g., under the Voting Rights Act). Provisional ballot rules preserve some access, and disability accommodations align with accessibility laws.
Constitutional: Could raise equal protection or due process challenges if seen as disproportionately affecting certain groups (e.g., minorities or the poor without IDs), though affidavits and alternatives aim to mitigate this. Does not alter core voting qualifications but enforces citizenship uniformly.
Political: Reinforces debates on election security versus voter suppression; the SAVE system's expansion ties voting to immigration enforcement, potentially polarizing implementation across partisan lines in states.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

Cosponsors (8)

Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]

Recent Actions

2026-03-26: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1647)
2026-03-25: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1589)
2026-03-24: Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration the House message to accompany S. 1383 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4772) made in Senate. (CR S1569-1570)
2026-03-24: Motion to table motion to refer to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration the House message to accompany S. 1383 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4422) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 68. (Roll call 68)
2026-03-24: Motion to table the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 67. (Roll call 67)
2026-03-24: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1561)
2026-03-22: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1495)
2026-03-21: Cloture on the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 41 - 49. Record Vote Number: 61. (CR S1466) (Roll call 61)
2026-03-21: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1461)
2026-03-20: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1419)
2026-03-19: Cloture motion on the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 presented in Senate. (CR S1348)
2026-03-19: Motion by Senator Schumer to suspend the operation of Rule XXV paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 made in Senate.
2026-03-19: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1314)
2026-03-18: Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1159)
2026-03-17: Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration the House message to accompany S. 1383 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4422) made in Senate. (CR S1067)

Bill Versions

Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (32 pages)
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-18 — PDF (14 pages)
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-09 — PDF (11 pages)
Veterans Accessibility Advisory Committee Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-02 — PDF (22 pages)