WASHINGTON – Majority Whip Tom Emmer today announced key stakeholder support for H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Clay Higgins (LA-03), will prevent a government shutdown and noncitizens from voting in federal elections.
Here is what stakeholders are saying in response to H.R. 9494:
Advancing American Freedom, Paul Teller, Executive Vice President: “Congressional conservatives have an opportunity to secure American elections and take a Christmas omnibus off the table. But they must be willing to take a stand for it. Speaker Johnson and Rep. Roy’s plan to pass a spending bill past Christmas and the SAVE Act is good governance and will force the left to take a position on stopping illegal aliens from registering to vote. Advancing American Freedom calls on all conservatives to align behind the SAVE Act plan.”
America First Policy Institute, Ken Blackwell, Chair of the Center for Election Integrity: “This issue is straightforward – the federal government should be doing everything in it power to ensure that only American citizens vote in American elections. This is their constitutional duty. Yet, the actions of the Biden-Harris Administration and their congressional allies have undermined these common-sense election integrity principles. Attaching the SAVE Act to government funding that extends through early 2025 helps ensure the security of our elections by preventing non-citizens from voting in our elections.”
American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) Action, Jordan Sekulow, President and CEO: “A continuing resolution (CR) into 2025 will prevent another end-of-year omnibus that would tie the hands of a future Trump Administration and deprive the American people of a voice in how their tax dollars are spent. The SAVE Act will ensure the integrity of our elections by requiring that voters provide proof of United States citizenship when they register. Adding this critical measure to the CR is a no-brainer. Every conservative in Congress should back Speaker Johnson in his effort to get this legislation across the finish line.”
American Lands Council, Myron Ebell, Chairman: "The House vote on the CR+SAVE Act is the most important of the year. Every conservative should support Speaker Johnson’s effort to avoid a lame duck omnibus and to challenge the Senate to vote on the SAVE Act."
Americans for Limited Government, Rick Manning, President: “House Republicans need to unite around Speaker Johnson’s proposal for a six-month continuing resolution with the SAVE Act included in order to best ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections, with full knowledge that President Biden and Vice President Harris, who want to allow millions of illegal aliens to vote in November, will almost certainly veto it. This inexcusable loophole in our voting system should have been closed decades ago, but here we are now, with the White House and Democratic Senate who will refuse to do a thing about it. It is still a fight the House should bring forward to let the American people know what the score is: that Democrats do not support election security in any way, shape or form.”
Association of Mature American Citizens Action, Ben Carlstrom, President: "Our constitutional republic depends upon a free and fair election process. The SAVE Act strengthens the process and must be included in any continuing resolution."
Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE), Star Parker, President, and Marty Dannenfelser, VP, Government Relations and Coalitions: “Protecting the integrity of America’s electoral system is critical to ensuring the freedom and dignity of all Americans, including those in our most distressed communities. We also believe that federal spending must be restrained so that civil society can flourish and support those most in need. Therefore, we support a continuing resolution that includes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and allows the next president and Congress to have a role in the FY 2025 appropriations process.”
Citizens for Renewing America, Wade Miller, Executive Director: "A six month CR with the SAVE Act attached is crucial for Republicans to hold the line on spending and to advance important election integrity initiatives."
Deroy Murdock, Fox News Contributor, New York City: "I urge every U.S. House member to vote for the Continuing Resolution with the SAVE Act attached. The question is simple: May foreign citizens vote in U.S. elections? The answer is even more simple: Hell No! Senator Chuck Schumer (D - New York) says he will not schedule a vote on this measure. That's his problem. If he and his Democrats want to shut down the federal government in order to secure the vote for foreign citizens, including the 10 million illegal aliens whom Kamala Harris has allowed to march across the southern "border," let the Senate Democrats hold a roll-call vote and do so. It's past time for Republicans to call Chuck Schumer's bluff. Step one: Save the SAVE Act!"
Eagle Forum, Kris Ullman, President: “Americans deserve fair elections. The SAVE Act, by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections, will ensure all Americans that their votes are not diluted by non-citizens' participation. With the Biden-Harris Administration ordering that voter registration information be provided to all who come in contact with a government department, the likelihood of non-citizens gaining the franchise is great. Congress must act to ensure American voices are respected.”
Election Integrity Network Action, Lynn Taylor, Chairman: "Ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote is critical to preserving trust in our elections. The Election Integrity Network Action fully supports the SAVE Act as a vital safeguard against non-citizen voting, enhancing the security and transparency of our electoral processes. By implementing stronger verification processes, we protect the rights of citizens and uphold the integrity of our democratic republic. I commend the leaders who are working to ensure that every vote cast in the United States is lawful and that the principles of our republic are maintained."
Family Research Council, Tony Perkins, President: “The Republican House has been diligently working to restore the Congress’ responsibility of proper government funding, approving nearly 75% of government appropriations with significant policy changes. Not surprisingly, the Senate under Chuck Schumer has approved 0%. The reason? The Democrats desire an end-of-year omnibus that allows for more profligate spending. A continuing resolution that extends into March—well past the unaccountable “lame-duck” session, with the election safeguards of the SAFE Act —represents the best opportunity to address three problems: 1) anti-life and anti-family spending found in liberal earmarks and amendments and 2) out-of-control deficit spending that saddles future generations with staggering debt. 3) Voter concern over election fraud in the federal election. FRC has only once scored in favor of a C.R. (in 2015, a short-term C.R. that would have defunded Planned Parenthood), but this continuing resolution comes at an exceptional time and is designed for an exceptional purpose. FRC will score in favor of the C.R. and will monitor amendments, updating our support as needed.”
Federation for American Immigration Reform, Dan Stein, President: "Only U.S. citizens should vote in elections. While the law bars illegal aliens from voting, it does not require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. The SAVE Act would change that and require states to remove noncitizens from their voting rolls. With more than 10 million illegal border crossings under the Biden-Harris Administration, these reforms are crucial. Now, more than ever, Congress must use every tool to push back against mass illegal immigration and the Biden-Harris Administration's border crisis. FAIR is proud to support this commonsense effort to preserve the integrity of our elections."
Foundation for Government Accountability, Tarren Bragdon, CEO: "It is, of course, unlawful for non-citizens to vote, but without a meaningful enforcement mechanism in place, the law is mere words on a piece of paper. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is the best way to ensure that the law is followed – that only citizens are allowed to vote. The clock is ticking on securing elections before the deciding votes are cast. Attaching the SAVE Act to the CR is perhaps the last chance for Congress to get this done ahead of November."
Gun Owners of America: “A 6 month CR + SAVE Act is a win for gun owners! 1. It protects ~10,000 vets from being disarmed 2. It continues historic ATF budget cuts 3. It forces ATF to keep improving NFA approval times 4. It prevents illegal aliens from voting for gun grabbers 5. It avoids an unaccountable, post-election Congress from passing an anti-gun Omnibus at Christmas”
Heritage Action for America: “Heritage Action supports the 6 month CR + SAVE Act. This move will save taxpayers money, avoid another Christmas omnibus, and present an opportunity to protect our ballot boxes from noncitizen voting.”
Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., President, and Heritage Action for America, Ryan Walker, Executive Vice President: “The way forward should be clear for conservatives: Pass a continuing resolution that extends government funding through March, or at least early 2025, and attach the SAVE Act to that bill. This is the strategy proposed by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) that should earn the support of every conservative in the House. This legislative combination will save taxpayers money, avoid another outrageous Christmas omnibus and present an opportunity to protect our ballot boxes from the over 10 million illegal aliens that the Biden/Harris administration let into the country.”
Illinois Conservative Union, Carol Davis, Chair: "Our organization is expressing our strong support for the passage of a short-term CR (to expire March 2025) AND attaching the SAVE Act to this CR. NOW is the time! Our nation desperately needs the election protections which the SAVE Act provides. Passing this short-term CR will also prevent the insanity of putting this off and having to deal with a spending bill looming in December, which would be a real nightmare."
Immigration Accountability Project: “More than 7.5 million illegal aliens have been released into the United States as a result of the Biden-Harris border policies, and most will have easy access to the documents needed to register to vote under the National Voter Registration Act. The SAVE Act would require documentary proof of US citizenship at the time of registration thereby reducing the risk of voter fraud and protecting the vote of every American. The Immigration Accountability Project applauds Speaker Johnson for attaching this important legislation to the continuing resolution.”
Job Creators Network, Alfredo Ortiz, CEO: “Every Member of Congress should support tomorrow’s vote on the continuing resolution and SAVE Act. The SAVE Act’s commonsense requirement for proof of citizenship to register to vote will safeguard American elections at a time when they’re under unprecedented threat. Noncitizen voting undermines American democracy and could unfairly make the difference in our increasingly close elections. That’s why Job Creators Network and the Hispanic Leadership Coalition, including the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition, strongly support it. By voting for the continuing resolution with the SAVE Act, Congress makes it easy for Americans to vote but hard for noncitizens to cheat.”
National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), RJ Hauman, President: “The House must do two things today: safeguard our elections and fund the federal government in a responsible manner. Aside from undermining our sovereignty, endangering public safety, and flooding American communities with gangs and lethal narcotics, the Biden-Harris Border Crisis has opened the door to abuse of our electoral system by political activists who aim to mobilize illegal aliens to vote in November and beyond. The SAVE Act stops it dead in its tracks. Funding the federal government with a 6-month continuing resolution is not only fiscally responsible, but also opens the door for President Trump to quickly obtain resources for the top two items in his campaign platform: securing the border and mass deportations.”
National Only Citizens Vote Coalition, Cleta Mitchell, Co-Founder: “As a co-founder of the National Only Citizens Vote Coalition, I commend Speaker Johnson, Rep Chip Roy and the House Freedom Caucus for prioritizing the SAVE Act as part of the government funding measure. Both are MUST PASS bills. We call on all members of Congress to save our elections, save our country and pass the SAVE Act.”
North Carolina Election Integrity Team, James Womack, Chairman: "On behalf of my 1800 members, I want to express my organization's fullest support for Speaker Johnson's initiative to link the SAVE Act to the Continuing Resolution for funding the U.S. Government. The SAVE act is not a panacea for comprehensive election integrity, but it is a substantial improvement over the status quo as we face significant vulnerability to election fraud in the November 5th General Election. The North Carolina Election Integrity Team (NCEIT) supports the SAVE Act as a necessary measure to stop non-citizens from influencing our election outcomes. Every legal vote should count without dilution by alien influencers."
States Trust, A Project of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, Greg Sindelar, CEO: “This strategic combination not only provides Texas with essential tools to prevent noncitizen voting but also safeguards our state against potential harm from hastily passed omnibus bills that could undermine the American people. By supporting this measure, the Texas Public Policy Foundation reaffirms its commitment to upholding Texas values of election integrity and transparent accountable governance."
Tea Party Patriots, Jenny Beth Martin, Honorary Chairman: “Strengthening election integrity is at the heart of Tea Party Patriots Action’s mission. Earlier this year, we commissioned a poll that found 87% of Americans agree that ‘proof of U.S. citizenship should be required to register to vote in American elections,’ and that 79% agree that ‘foreigners should be prohibited from interfering, including voting, in U.S. elections.’ While the Biden-Harris administration is deliberately flooding our country with illegal aliens, overwhelming majorities of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents want to protect our elections from foreign interference. That’s why the SAVE Act is so vital, and we urge every House Member to support this spending bill with the SAVE Act included.”
Comprehensive list of organizations supporting H.R. 9494:
Advancing American Freedom; America First Policy Institute; American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) Action; American Commitment; American Lands Council; Americans for Limited Government; Association of Mature American Citizens Action; Center for Urban Renewal and Education (CURE); Citizens for Renewing America; Eagle Forum - Key Vote YES; Election Integrity Network Action; Family Research Council - Key Vote YES; Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) - Key Vote YES; Foundation for Government Accountability; Gun Owners of America; Heritage Action for America; Heritage Foundation; Illinois Conservative Union; Immigration Accountability Project; Job Creators Network; Maryland Voter Integrity Group; National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE); National Only Citizens Vote Coalition; North Carolina Election Integrity Team; States Trust (Texas Public Policy Foundation); Tea Party Patriots
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