Overview
- All Republicans and one Democrat, Rep. Henry Cuellar of Texas, backed the bill in the 218–213 House vote, sending it to the Senate.
- The legislation mandates documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, requires photo ID at the polls, and adds ID copy requirements for requesting and returning mail ballots.
- The bill expands federal–state data checks by directing information sharing to verify citizenship and creates criminal penalties for officials who register voters without specified documentation.
- Despite a GOP Senate majority, the proposal lacks the 60 votes needed to advance; Democrats vow to block it and Republicans such as Sen. Lisa Murkowski have voiced opposition.
- Supporters, including President Donald Trump and House leaders, frame the bill as election security, while voting‑rights groups warn it could disenfranchise millions — with estimates of about 21 million lacking required documents — and legal scholars cite precedent limiting Congress’s power over voter qualifications.